Robert Molloy
Question:35 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, in view of the conflicting opinions emerging, if he intends to initiate an independent assessment of our training schemes.
Written Answers. - FÁS Training Programmes.
Michael Finucane
Question:62 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the quality assessment, if any, he is undertaking of FÁS training courses so that the benefit is maximised for participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 62 together.
FÁS training programmes are funded by the Exchequer, the European Social Fund and a levy collected from certain sectors of Irish industry. The effectiveness of FÁS training programmes is the subject of continuous evaluation and assessment by FÁS relative to skills needs of the economy, the needs of the trainees themselves and in the context of certification and standards. In my Department a dedicated EC funded evaluation unit has now been established. The function of this unit is to evaluate the effectiveness of all human resource development measures supported by the European Social Fund. These include most of the programmes administered by FÁS. I have indicated my commitment to this process of evaluation and to the implementation of recommendations made to improve the effectiveness of expenditure.