Vol. 458 No. 5
174 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he has satisfied himself that the result of training under FÁS programmes is the creation of employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17313/95]
The numbers placed in employment following completion of FÁS mainline training programmes is very encouraging. FÁS estimate, for example, that around 70 per cent of those who completed specific skills type training during 1994 have since secured employment.
The Deputy will, no doubt, be aware that a smaller proportion of FÁS training programmes are geared towards more vulnerable groups such as early school leavers and other disadvantaged groups. The intent of such programmes is to provide foundation training for participants which, in fact, often serves as a launching pad to more advanced training. Accordingly, one would expect that the numbers place in employment following completion of such training would not be as high. FÁS estimates 48 per cent of participants on these programmes during 1994 have since been placed in employment.
