Vol. 423 No. 2
3 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Labour the number of persons who have been placed in full-time jobs in the private sector by FÁS for the latest 12 month period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
FÁS places people in employment through its Employment Service. In addition training centres secure job placements for trainees on completion of training. Placements in full-time employment also arise through the Employment Incentive Scheme and the Employment Subsidy Scheme.
In 1991, the latest year for which statistics are available through these mechanisms, FÁS placed about 45,000 people in employment. No distinction is made between placements in the public sector and private sector although FÁS involvement with public sector recruitment would be low.
Is the Minister aware of very considerable dissatisfaction among private sector employers with the placement service which results in the vast majority of employees being recruited outside of FÁS? Has the Minister proposals to make FÁS placement more relevant both to employers and to the unemployed so that they do not experience the degree of frustration that now exists?
FÁS is required under the terms of the Labour Services Act, 1987, to provide, among other things, a service for those seeking employment in the State and for those offering such employment. However, there is no obligation on employers to use this service for their recruitment. It is estimated by FÁS that they would account for perhaps only 10 per cent of the vacancies going through their offices. Employers are using direct methods of placement rather than the services of FÁS but we are required under the Act to provide it.
Does that not suggest to the Minister that there is something wrong with his placement service?
It simply suggests to me that employers do not have difficulty finding prospective employees.
