Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
1268. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of times the NTF Advisory Group has met since July 2022; the number of employer representatives who attended each meeting; and the specific recommendations from an organisation (details supplied) on enhancing enterprise input into governance and prioritisation of NTF expenditure that have been implemented to date. [34741/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Training Fund (NTF) Advisory Group concluded its work in November 2024 at which point its mandate was subsumed into that of the restructured National Skills Council, reflecting the clear alignment between the functions of the two bodies. This conclusion, including the transfer of the Group’s mandate, was agreed with the enterprise representative members of the NTF Advisory Group. The National Skills Council now serves as the primary forum for optimising enterprise engagement in relation the NTF, in accordance with its agreed terms of reference. The objectives, strategic vision and meeting documents of the Council are available on gov.ie.
Turning to your question about the meetings of the NTF Advisory Group, it met six times between July 2022 and November 2024. Employer representative bodies participating in meetings included SAP Ireland, American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, Chambers Ireland, Construction Industry Federation, IBEC, ISME, Irish Exporters Association, Irish Hotels Federation and the Wheel.
For completeness, officials from my Department, SOLAS, Department of Social Protection and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, the Higher Education Authority and Skillnet Ireland also attended meetings.
