asked the Minister for Labour the action taken by him in the past three years to implement the promises in the 1987 Fianna Fáil Election Manifesto to (a) set up Regional Manpower Boards to identify training and job opportunities in each region, (b) establish an Employment Placement Programme for third level graduates and (c) expand the terms of reference of the Industrial Training Committees.
Written Answers. - Employment Measures.
88.
The Government decided in mid 1987 that the most effective way of providing training and placement services was to integrate the various State agencies providing services in these areas. FÁS was accordingly established on January 1988, under the Labour Services Act, 1987. FÁS operates on a regional basis and I am satisfied that an effective local and regional service is being provided.
In relation to graduates, FÁS operates a number of placement programmes and details of the programmes would be a day-to-day matter for FÁS.
In relation to industrial training committees, section 24 of the Labour Services Act, 1987, provided for an extension of the advisory role of the ITC's to include all FÁS activities.