Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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464. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made under Skillnet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7346/23]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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Funded from the National Training Fund, Skillnet Limited has, over more than 20 years, developed a specific, specialised and highly effective model, engaging directly with companies and industry groups to inform and address talent needs. In 2022 Skillnet Ireland, through its 71 Skillnet Networks, has provided upskilling programmes to over 87,000 trainees and supported over 25,000businesses.While the majority of its training programmes are delivered through the Skillnet Business Networks programme, Skillnet Ireland also provides a range of talent and upskilling supports across key thematic areas of climate action, digitalisation, FDI talent and SME leadership and productivity.

Skillnet Ireland's allocation for 2023 is €59.141m. This includes €3m in COVID and €15.5m Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding in 2023 for the upskilling and reskilling opportunities for Ireland’s changing skills needs to deliver on a green and digital agenda in a post Brexit, post pandemic environment. The BAR funding builds on an €11m allocation for 2022 and will assist SMEs to adapt to new market and regulatory realities arising from Brexit; support the Digital Transformation and Sustainability Journey of Larger Companies; and protect employment levels within firms willing to support capacity-building of SMEs within their supply chain and those impacted by Brexit.

The €3m temporary COVID funding will support upskilling in emerging technologies and the expansion of provision across sustainable finance, green tech, and climate ready and other programmes.

In December 2022, Minister Harris confirmed Skillnet Ireland’s leadership role working in partnership with small and medium businesses to meet their talent, skills and workforce development needs. Ireland’s international reputation and profile as an innovative, agile and high-performing economy is critically dependent on the quality of its workforce, and this demands a robust and durable supply of talent and highly skilled workers. Skillnet Ireland’s mission will be to further strengthen and future-proof Ireland’s workforce, building stronger partnerships with the tertiary education system to ensure workers are equipped with the essential skills, knowledge and capabilities for a world of work being transformed by technology.