EU allocates €375m to upskill Irish workers

The European Commission has announced that Ireland will receive €375m from the European Social Fund (ESF) to upskill workers and create new employment in disadvantaged communities.

This programme is complementary to the National Development Plan and is to be administered by the Irish Government over the next 7 years.

The projects earmarked will place an emphasis on job and training opportunities for early school leavers; people with literacy deficits and disabilities; reducing barriers that prevent women from entering the workforce enhancing the skills and productivity of workers and increasing the emphasis on technical and scientific education

EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimír Spidla, welcomed the announcement by saying: "2007 is a special year for the European Social Fund. Not only are we celebrating its 50th anniversary, but we also see the launch of another seven-year period of ESF financial support."

"The ESF strengthens Europe's capacity to create good jobs and equip workers with the right skills to fill them. But these objectives must be put into practice at national level."