Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - FÁS Training Programmes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

125 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the availability of funds for FÁS employment and training schemes; if she will ensure that no schemes are terminated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8437/99]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

A sum of £455.145 million is available in my Department's Vote in 1999 for FÁS employment and training programmes. In addition, FÁS will receive approximately £86 million from the European Social Fund in 1999 towards the cost of training programmes.

The Revised Estimate for my Department will provide 10,275 new places on active labour market initiatives this year, including 875 new job initiative places, 1,500 bridging programme places to enable the long-term unemployed to enter mainstream training and 5,200 job club places. My Department will also provide an average of 37,500 places on community employment in 1999.

The initiatives to which I have referred reflect my policy to enhance the range of places available for the unemployed, to focus on programmes with the best employability outcomes and to target places at specific disadvantaged cohorts in the labour market. In that context, there will be some refocusing of places, notably from community employment to other programmes. Decisions regarding support for specific schemes within training and employment programmes are the operational responsibility of FÁS.