Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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229. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17434/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The upskilling of the labour force has been and continues to be a key priority for this Government. The proportion of those in the labour force with low skills has been reducing in recent years. Funding for further education and training including adult education is now being administered by SOLAS and programmes are being delivered through the Education and Training Boards. SOLAS has recently developed a five year strategy for further education and training which includes a strategy on literacy and numeracy provision.

The Strategy, which will be published shortly, aims to deliver a higher quality learning experience leading to better outcomes for all those who engage in further education and training, including adults with lower education levels. It presents a road map and overarching implementation plan to realise the vision of a world-class integrated system of further education and training in Ireland, which will support economic development and meet the needs of all learners, communities and employers who engage with further education and training. We must keep core skills such as literacy, numeracy and ICT skills to the fore in Further Education and Training. One of the five High Level Goals outlined in the Further Education and Training Strategy relates to Active Inclusion. The goal is that further education and training provision will effectively support the active inclusion of people of all abilities in society. This is also a critical stepping stone for many with low skills towards gaining employment.