Written answers

Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Education Schemes

Photo of James O'ConnorJames O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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118. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the planned measures under the €121 million skills package announced as part of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58636/21]

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The impact of the pandemic and climate change will fundamentally change the way we all live and work. The significant funding allocated is an unequivocal demonstration of the commitment by Government in investing in meeting priority human capital and skill needs to sustain our national recovery and economic development. The €121m Skills Package allocated in Budget 2022 will allow us to drive changes in the system and help ensure we have the talent and the skillsets to ensure Ireland’s economic and social wellbeing.

The Skills Package includes:

- €34 million to support and develop apprenticeship, including €17 million to address the backlogs in delivery caused by COVID-19; €9million to introduce a new employer grant for apprentices to drive increased employer participation in apprenticeships as outlined in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship; and €8 million to establish a new Apprenticeship Office to lead planned reforms to the Irish apprenticeship system;

- €78 million for reskilling and upskilling including a €22 million Green Skills Action programme and continued investment in supporting businesses; €40million for Skills to Compete – a key SOLAS initiative to support those who have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19, to re-enter the workforce - and additional funding for Skillnet Ireland, for Skills to Advance focused on upskilling for those in employment as well as expanded provision in higher education for priority skill needs under Springboard+.

- €9 million for the delivery of key strategic priorities in Further Education and Training including:

- abolishing the €200 Post Leaving Cert levy for over 10,000 learners;

- implementation of the new 10 year Adult Literacy for Life strategy including the establishment of a programme office, recruitment of literacy co-ordinators and a new collaboration and innovation fund;

- further implementation of the Further Education and Training Strategy – Future FET, Transforming Learning.

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