Skillnet Ireland is a business support agency of the Government of Ireland. Our mandate is to advance the competitiveness, productivity and innovation of businesses operating in Ireland through enterprise-led workforce development.
Skillnet Ireland was established in 1999 and is a company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act. Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund (NTF) through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS).
What we do
Corporate Governance and Organisational Structure
The Board of Directors and Committees
Skillnet Ireland is governed by a Board of Directors representing stakeholders vested in workforce development.
The Company structure of the Board of Skillnet Ireland is that all 13 Directors are nominees of specified organisations that have an interest in employee training, with a majority representing employers, as follows:
- Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (three nominees)
- Ibec (four nominees)
- The Construction Industry Federation (one nominee)
- Chambers Ireland (one nominee)
- The Small Firms Association (one nominee)
- The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (three nominees)
The Board is supported by three committees:
Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee provides oversight of:
- Financial reporting
- Internal controls and risk management
- Internal and external audit functions
Finance and General Purpose Committee
The Finance and General-Purpose Committee provides oversight of:
- Operational effectiveness
- Human resources and remuneration matters
- Annual budget and application of funds in accordance with the Company’s Performance Delivery Agreement with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Evaluation and Performance Monitoring Committee
The Evaluation and Performance Monitoring Committee shall:
- Review applications for funding and awards for grants
- Oversee the application process followed by the Executive
- Define and set performance measures and benchmarks for the Networks and related programmes
Skillnet Ireland Code of Business Conduct for Directors
Click here to view the Code of Business Conduct for Directors
Management and Operational Structure
Skillnet Ireland, although a public body is a private company and staff of the organisation are not public servants. Accordingly, there are no set pay scales or grades applicable to the positions noted.
Click here to view our Leadership Team.
Decision Making Process for Major Policy Proposals
All decisions to award grants are made by the Board of Skillnet Ireland.
The Board’s decision is supported with advice and recommendations from the Evaluation and Performance Monitoring Board Committee, and the Executive on the assessment of the applications for funding and the assessment process.
Corporate Plans and Strategies
Skillnet Ireland’s existing strategic plan covers the period ending 31 December 2025.
Further information on the strategic direction may be found on the Statement of Strategy 2021 – 2025
Publications
Skillnet Ireland publications cover a range of topics such as:
- Annual reports
- Independent evaluations of programmes
- Research documents
Location and contact details
The Skillnet Ireland head office is based in Sandyford, Dublin – Our location and directions.
Skillnet Ireland Business Networks are based in various locations nationwide – Listing and contact details for Skillnet Ireland Business Networks.
- General enquiries: info@skillnetireland.ie
- Media enquiries: communications@skillnetireland.ie
- FOI enquiries: foi@skillnetireland.ie
- Complaints: complaints@skillnetireland.ie
Customer Service
The standards of service we aim to provide to our clients is outlined in our Customer Service section.