My Department provides a budget to FÁS each year to provide for the delivery of services to its clients. The question raised by the Deputy relates to the operation of FÁS at local level and as such is a normal administrative matter for FÁS at the national and regional levels.
However, I have made inquiries and I understand that FÁS has adequate funding for the implementation of all its training programmes and employment schemes in North Kildare during 1999. The funding for future years is a matter for the annual estimate exercise. The estimates for 2000 will be published shortly.
During 1999, an average of 134 persons attended ten FÁS training programmes in north Kildare. These programmes were funded by FÁS to the extent of £623,063. An average of 421 persons participated in 26 community employment projects, which cost £3,232,527.