Vol. 517 No. 2
71 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has to provide grants to unemployed people so that they can take computer training courses run by private industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9488/00]
Mechanisms currently exist whereby unemployed people may avail of grants to undertake computer courses run by private industry. FÁS provides funds through the community employment scheme to allow participants to pay for computer courses. Secondly, direct grants are available through the FÁS placement services to enable unemployed persons to avail of training under a customised training fund.
In addition, a wide range of information technology training is provided for unemployed people through FÁS's mainstream training programmes. A significant proportion of this training is subcontracted out. For example, in 1999, 37% of FÁS IT courses were delivered by private providers.
