Vol. 432 No. 6
9 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he has examined the findings of an ESRI study on the benefits for unemployed persons in participating in FÁS schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The recent report by the ESRI entitled, Ireland and Europe: Challenges for a New Century, is currently being considered by my Department. I welcome its general finding to the effect that participation in temporary employment measures can be very valuable in restoring motivation and hence job prospects for unemployed persons. This finding is in line with the Government's commitment to the provision of training and employment scheme opportunities for persons who are unemployed.
FÁS will provide an average of almost 16,000 opportunities on its training programmes this year while an average of almost 24,000 persons will participate in employment schemes such as the social employment scheme, including the community employment development programme and Teamwork.
Is the Minister aware that the findings in relation to training schemes operated by FÁS are not as glowing as stated? Is he aware that one year after a participant completed his training course it was found there was no significant improvement in his job prospects? Will the Minister agree that we need to carefully consider investment in training schemes in the next round of Structural Funds to ensure that no repeat of that experience occurs?
The Deputy is raising a specific matter.
I agree with the Deputy and we are currently considering that matter to see how best we can fine tune the application of those schemes so that the benefit is maximised for participants and also in terms of design and delivery of services operated by FÁS.
