Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 3

Written Answers. - Local Employment Service.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

84 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the performance of the local employment scheme; if a review has been carried out on behalf of her Department; her plans to make changes to the local employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3347/02]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The local employment service, LES, has a central role in facilitating unemployed people to progress to training or job opportunities or in assisting them in identifying and overcoming barriers to progression. In 2001 almost 8,000 clients benefited from the LES nationally.

Since mid-2000 the management of the LES has been assigned to FÁS as part of a new dual-stranded national employment service and a new employment services advisory committee to the FÁS executive was established to carry forward this process. The role of the ESAC is to advise the executive of FÁS on all aspects of the operation of the national employment service in the context of national employment policy; to monitor and make recommendations on the operation and effectiveness of the NES, including the LES and FÁS; to develop inputs into national policy for the national employment service; and to assist in the formation of principles guiding the respective roles and development and complementarity of both strands of the national employment service.

In the overall context of the FÁS strategic review of policy, and the key role filled by the new dual-stranded national employment service in meeting labour market policies and objectives, I have requested the FÁS board to undertake a review of the activities and resources of the national employment service to ensure that it is fully and properly equipped to carry out its essential tasks. This review will be carried out under the aegis of the employment service advisory committee on which my Department is represented at senior level.

I anticipate that the proposed review of the national employment service will, among other matters, give consideration to a number of issues which have been highlighted in the recent report of the National Economic and Social Forum concerning the future operation of the LES.