Fergal O’Brien: National Training Fund should be spent to help businesses amid economic uncertainty

'The government is sitting on a surplus in the National Training Fund (NTF) of almost €1bn unspent employer contributions which could be used to support long-term investments needed to grow our capacity and resilience in skills.'

"A proportion of the funds from the NTF should be used to provide a support scheme for companies."

The international economy is in a place of significant challenge. High rates of inflation, rising interest rates and volatile energy markets have all driven deep downward revisions for international growth rates in 2022.

Ireland’s strong economic momentum, exemplified by rising employment and tax revenues, which had defied the backdrop for much of 2022, will be challenged over the winter.