Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1697. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current surplus in the National Training Fund; the impediments to its spend; the spending that was applied in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46318/24]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The National Training Fund (NTF) accumulated surplus was €1.54 billion at end 2023, as set out in the NTF Annual Financial Statements (AFS) for 2023 audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General (C&AG). In line with section 14 of the NTF Act, 2000, the 2023 AFS was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 10th December, 2024. The 2024 NTF AFS have yet to be compiled, but the accumulated surplus is estimated to be circa €1.8 billion at the end of 2024.

In accordance with section 7 of the Act, the Fund can be used to raise the skills of those in employment; to provide training to those who wish to acquire skills to take up employment and to provide information in relation to skills requirements in the economy. As the Deputy will be aware, plans to spend the surplus in the NTF must be considered within the context of the Government’s overall budgetary policy. Any increase in NTF expenditure, all other things being equal and without a corresponding reduction on the Vote, requires an increase in my Department’s and the overall Government expenditure ceilings.

NTF expenditure in 2023 and 2024 is set out in the table below; however, it must be noted that 2024 figure is provisional and is subject to preparation and audit of the AFS by the C&AG.