asked the Minister for Labour the reason so few places are made available to people over 25 years who wish to avail of FÁS courses; if this is discriminating against married women and older people who need retraining in order for them to return to the work force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - FÁS Courses.
89.
Priority is given in FÁS training programmes to the long-term unemployed and young people, particularly early school leavers.
In deciding upon the eligibility criteria for programmes, regard must also be had to the regulations of the European Social Fund. In broad terms, assistance from the ESF for training is confined to those under 25 years and the long-term unemployed regardless of age with the bulk of the aid available being set aside for those under 25 years of age. Against the background of the priorities and financial considerations which I have outlined, FÁS will provide up to £1 million from its Exchequer allocation for the training of the short-term unemployed over 25 years of age in 1989.
I am hopeful that, in the context of the revised ESF which comes into operation in 1990, financial assistance will be available for additional training activity for short-term unemployed people over 25 and for married women who wish to return to the labour market.