Just as unemployment shoots past 10%, Fine Gael Enterprise Spokesman Leo Varadkar TD has condemned Government plans to impose cutbacks on the successful upskilling programmes, which are expected in the emergency Budget.

Speaking in the Dáil tonight during a Private Members' debate on unemployment, Deputy Varadkar (pictured left with part leader Enda Kenny) said the Government plans to cut funding for Skillnets by 25% this year which represents over €6million.

He said, "Skillnets provides high-quality funding for people in employment so that their skills are kept up to date, improving their chances of retaining work or of finding better employment. There is near universal agreement that upskilling is vital in order to retain existing jobs and generate new ones. And with one in ten people now on the dole, upskilling and retraining has never been so important."

Yesterday, IrishDev.com reported on the latest technology Skillnet programme for the Software community, belonging to the Information Technology sector which is widely thought to lead the way in the recovery of the Irish economy. (read more)

Varadkar continued "The Skillnets scheme has a budget of €26 million which is funded entirely from employers' PRSI contributions.  Many of the Skillnets participants may lose their jobs as the recession deepens and will not be able to find new employment without up-to-date skills and qualifications. Yet Fianna Fáil is planning to slash Skillnets funding by 25% in its emergency Budget."

Varadkar went on to berate Governments in-action to curb spending in  FÁS.

He said, "Instead of axing Skillnets's activities, the Government should wield the knife on the €1 billion FÁS budget. Much of FÁS's budget is squandered on conferences, fairs, advertising, board meetings and overseas programmes in Florida and Japan. They spend €140 million on corporate affairs and administration, and over €100 million on services to business. The axe should fall on these programmes, not on Community Employment Schemes, Apprenticeships or Skillnets."

"The Government could also consider using the Skillnets companies to provide training to the newly redundant and to people working two and three day weeks. Rather than segregating the unemployed, they could be integrated into enterprise-led training programmes alongside people in employment."

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