Vol. 506 No. 5
35 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts being made by FÁS or her Department to recruit workers abroad; her views on whether this approach is required in view of the significant numbers of people here who remain on the live register and the categories of people living here who are barred from working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15848/99]
As part of a response to addressing the skills needs of the economy, FÁS has launched a campaign to attract overseas workers to Ireland. The campaign is focused on highlighting the job opportunities which are available in certain key sectors of the economy which are experiencing the most acute skills shortages at present.
FÁS's objective is to build up a database of more than 10,000 suitably qualified job seekers who are interested in working in Ireland. The campaign will concentrate on the UK, Germany, France, the Benelux countries, the USA and Canada. This campaign is just one approach to addressing the emerging skills shortages in the economy. It is complementary to an extensive range of measures which FÁS is pursuing to meet the skills needs of the economy through improving the employability of those who are unemployed.
I have recently submitted proposals to Government which, if agreed, would allow work permits to be issued in respect of certain categories of asylum seekers.
