David Stanton
Question:143 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she is taking to promote training for persons aged over 50 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17090/01]
Written Answers. - FÁS Training Programmes.
Strong economic and employment growth means that there are plenty of employment opportunities for all who are in a position to avail of them. For its part the Government is pursuing a range of policies, including fiscal policies, which assist in improving the reward for work, including that of older persons. Training is just one of the elements that may encourage older persons to remain in or return to the workforce.
FÁS plays a substantial role in direct training and retraining to meet the labour and skills needs of the economy and to integrate people into the workforce. FÁS has in place a large range and scale of training programmes both for persons in, or returning to, employment, including training programmes targeted at the unemployed and other disadvantaged groups. FÁS programmes do not discriminate on the basis of age or gender but are designed to match jobseekers with available opportunities.
This year's estimate for training for people in employment amounts to almost £70 million, which includes grants to employers for adapting and upskilling their workforce. FÁS also has an extensive range and scale of training programmes targeted at the unemployed, including specific skills training, traineeships and local enterprise training. Total FÁS funding provision this year for training for the unemployed amounts to just over £120 million.
As part of further initiatives in this area, I have asked FÁS to examine if there are specific steps that can be taken to afford older persons the appropriate opportunities to take up suitable vacancies.