Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 5

Written Answers. - FÁS Performance Indicators.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Question:

52 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the performance indicators in use to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of FÁS; the criteria used by his Department to satisfy itself that the organisation is delivering value for money to the taxpayer and to its clients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17238/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

My Department monitors, on a continuing basis, a broad range of data from FÁS relating to expenditure and levels of activity achieved on its various programmes, numbers placed in employment having completed FÁS programmes and so on, and compares such data with the performance levels of previous years with a view, in particular, to identifying any areas where improvement might be merited. Programmes are also monitored by FÁS itself and through my Department's European Social Fund Evaluation Unit.

International monitoring includes studies by FÁS of its own performance levels, the attitudes of its clients to the various programmes offered, the numbers who are in employment one year after completing FÁS training programmes, and various other studies on individual programmes conducted either internally or with the assistance of outside organisations. I understand that, following a recent review of performance indicators, the FÁS board decided that the considerable efforts it has been making to assess its performance should now be further intensified. Work is in hand to implement this decision. I will also ensure that any recommendations made by my Department's ESF Evaluation Unit, which will approve the quality and relevance of training provided, will be acted on.

In the Operational Programme for the Development of Human Resources, base-line indicators were set in 1994 and targets to be achieved by 1999 have been established. In accordance with the programme, all training measures implemented by FÁS are monitored by reference to four basic performance indicators. These indicators focus on placement rates following completion of training; progression rates from lower level to advance level training; recognition of standards achieved through the certification of courses and the provision made for training of trainers to ensure that their own standards are at least adequate to meet current industrial and technological needs.

All training and employment courses provided by FÁS are supported by the European Social Fund, as well as by the Exchequer. The impact of the very significant investment levels involved is regularly reviewed by the monitoring committee set up under a human resources operational programme, by reference to the impact indicators I have already outlined. That committee is representative of a very wide range of interests, including members from employer and trade union organisations, the community and voluntary sectors and organisations dealing with equal opportunities policy. In future, the continuation of training and employment programmes delivered by FÁS will be determined by the extent to which they are achieving the specific objectives which have been set down for them.

Having said all that, I accept that more may be required. In this context, my Department has, in the context of preparing the forthcoming White Paper on Training, been looking very carefully at the issue of how FÁS performance should be measured. This work includes,inter alia, an assessment of the suitability, quality and value for money of existing FÁS programmes. Decisions on proposals emerging from the process will be made by Government in due course.