Austin Deasy
Question:176 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the estimated number of male and female travelling people who are eligible for FÁS schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17329/95]
Vol. 458 No. 5
176 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the estimated number of male and female travelling people who are eligible for FÁS schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17329/95]
As the Deputy may be aware, FÁS programmes are, by and large, aimed at persons who are on the live register, in receipt of unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit or who are early school leavers. While I do not have information, estimated or otherwise, on the number of travelling people who fall within these categories I can, of course, confirm that those who do, and who fulfil the normal criteria, are automatically eligible to participate in FÁS programmes.
I should mention that FÁS, in conjunction with the Department of Education, jointly operate the specific travellers' training workshop programme. There are currently around 600 participants on that programme.