Vol. 523 No. 4
49 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the training facilities available to asylum seekers and refugees, including FÁS training courses; the numbers involved; the future plans for such training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21341/00]
In March 2000, FÁS established an asylum seekers unit to assist asylum seekers who have been granted the right to work.
The process that is used is a series of structured interviews, the aim of which is to establish a profile of the education and employment history of the asylum seeker. During the interview process, a range of assessments are used to determine levels of technical or language skills. This provides each individual with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities. The outcome of the interviews and skills assessments are used to ascertain the type of work each individual is best suited to within the Irish jobs market.
The FÁS asylum seekers unit has introduced a three week intensive English language training programme which is followed by a seven week access to employment programme which focuses on orientation to the labour market in Ireland and includes English language training and IT training modules. To date, approximately 800 people have attended the unit.
People granted refugee status are fully entitled to access FÁS mainstream training and employment services. In addition, FÁS has developed a specialised English language and information technology programme for refugee trainees. The programme, which was initially piloted in Baldoyle training centre, was mainstreamed in 2000. The programme runs for six months and is available in the following FÁS training centres – Jervis Street, Baldoyle, Tallaght, Cork, Tralee, Limerick, Shannon and Waterford. On completion of training, participants may move into employment directly or they may progress onto other FÁS programmes. At present, three programmes are running in Dublin, one in Tallaght, one in Jervis Street and one in Baldoyle. A total of 40 refugees are participating. Tralee training centre completed two courses in July 2000 with 28 refugees completing training. Additional courses will run in other FÁS training centres as soon as a need arises in the location.
