Skillnet Ireland Welcomes Investment in Skills for Businesses in Budget 2025 to Support SME Competitiveness

Skillnet Ireland, the national talent development agency for businesses, has welcomed the Government’s decision to increase its allocation by 22% in Budget 2025.

Skillnet Ireland will receive total exchequer funding of €63 million in 2025 through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Skillnet Ireland’s exchequer funding will be further boosted by up to €30 million in private sector matched funding, amounting to a total investment of between €90 and €100 million to empower workforce development within enterprise in 2025.  

Commenting on the importance of providing supports for SMEs in Budget 2025, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, said: “Supporting the competitiveness, growth and resilience of the SME sector and developing the future skills of workers is a focus of my Department. Skillnet Ireland and its 57 industry partner organisations are having a tremendous impact on skills levels in the SME sector. I am therefore pleased to announce this increased investment from the National Training Fund (NTF) for Skillnet Ireland in 2025. This will deliver many new upskilling opportunities for workers in critical areas including offshore wind energy, modern methods of construction, digitalisation, and sustainability.” 

Skillnet Ireland will launch several new SME support initiatives in 2025, helping to ensure the sector remains competitive. Designed in close collaboration with industry, Skillnet Ireland programmes are demand driven, and provide bespoke and responsive solutions to business, helping to ensure they are prepared to meet future challenges.  

Speaking after the Budget 2025 announcement Skillnet Ireland Chairperson, Brendan McGinty, said: “This additional investment in Skillnet Ireland is a testament to our work in driving innovation and supporting business growth through upskilling and strategic talent development. We warmly welcome the unlocking of the NTF surplus, and we look forward to the continued application of its resources to the competitive issues faced by employers and to further raising skill levels across the multiple industry sectors where Skillnet Ireland is engaged. Importantly, Budget 2025 also enables Skillnet Ireland to expand its vital supports for businesses and workers across the regions.” 

According to Paul Healy, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive: “Government’s continued recognition of the essential role the enterprise sector plays in shaping the upskilling agenda is once again reflected in this latest Budget, which sees a significant increase in resources allocated to Skillnet Ireland from the NTF. Ireland’s greatest natural asset is our well-skilled and gifted workforce, a competitive strength we must never cede. This increased investment through Skillnet Ireland further protects these advantages by making our business sector ever more competitive on a global stage.”

Watch the video below to hear more from Brendan McGinty and Paul Healy as they discuss the Skillnet Ireland Budget 2025 allocation.