National Training Fund

Tuesday, 4 July 2017

Questions (145)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

145. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 369 of 20 June 2017, if it is possible to vary the rate employers pay in the national training levy to the proposed employer contribution mechanism according to the assumed benefit they derive from higher education training or alternatively to varying contributions by sector whereby employers in more high skilled sectors pay a higher contribution, which was not addressed in the original response. [30873/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The issue the Deputy raises regarding the use of differential rates was one of a number of issues raised in the recent consultation process that the Minister for Education and Skill and I held.

As I highlighted in my previous response to the Deputy, both Departments are now actively considering all of the issues raised as part of the consultation process including the specific matter referred to in the Deputy's question.

This consideration will include how to ensure greater employer engagement with the Fund and the types of programmes it funds. This will be to ensure that all sectors, including those who feel furthest removed from the benefits of the Fund, have the opportunity to engage with and benefit from the Fund.

It is also important that there is greater transparency on what and how the fund delivers on its core objectives - coupled with an administratively straightforward and transparent mechanism for funding the NTF, from both business and the State perspective.