Vol. 553 No. 2
90 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which adequate retraining or other support services are available to those who may have lost their jobs in the past 12 months; if sufficient places have been provided for or are likely to so be in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13741/02]
FÁS has a comprehensive approach and support system for workers who are threatened with, or affected by, redundancy.
Where people lose their jobs by way of redundancy, FÁS has a procedure for putting supports in place prior to the date of redundancy to enable employers and employees to prepare for exit planning related to retraining or alternative job-seeking. Where such redundancies affect large numbers, then other agencies are involved, for example, the IDA, Forfás, local enterprise boards, partnerships, LES and Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
Appropriate supports include individual interviews, career evaluation, career planning, retraining or training upgrades and job matching with local vacancies that may exist. Where appropriate, specific training courses are set up.
Where the job losses are of a different nature and people register with the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs as unemployed there is a standard procedure in place between both FÁS and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs to point such people towards the variety of FÁS services available to their particular needs.
In both scenarios, the supports are delivered by FÁS throughout its network and are processed on an integrated basis through employment offices, training centres, community offices and services to employers. These interventions were a key component of the successful strategy pursued by the last Government that delivered economic and social progress through job creation with the resultant low unemployment rates.
The new Government recently reaffirmed its commitment in the programme for Government which stated "FÁS will engage with redundant workers and people facing the prospect of long-term unemployment to ensure that the period out of work for a substantial number of people is kept to a minimum." I assure the House it is a commitment that will be delivered upon.
Are adequate resources available to FÁS to continue its existing programme of supports for various social employment schemes throughout the country while at the same catering for the contingencies that are likely to arise in relation to jobs lost or in doubt?
When particular companies close or make a large number of workers redundant, FÁS tends to come in with a customised initiative. We have seen great success in this area. For example, former textile workers have been equipped with IT skills for new jobs which in many cases pay substantially more money. That tends to be the response. There are substantially more people in training now than ever before. It is important in particular that those who have been in traditional employment have the opportunity to access a new skill to enable them obtain a job in a different sector. That is a priority for FÁS. Given that the number of redundancies this year is higher than last year it is becoming a greater problem. I have no evidence to suggest that a significant number of current redundant workers are not in a position to access appropriate training within a reasonable timeframe.
With due respect, the question was whether adequate resources are available to FÁS to cater for those job losses and retraining places required while at the same time continuing to support the various social employment schemes, referred to in previous parliamentary questions, which have been the cause of some concern throughout the country by various voluntary groups and those involved in organising social employment schemes during the past 12 months. That part of the question is still unanswered.
Which is the Deputy asking about, the services or the individuals?
I am asking about the services and the availability of financial supports for the various schemes.
I said in reply to an earlier question that there are two issues in regard to community employment, namely, the individuals involved and the cutbacks and reductions. Clearly one has to remain concerned about individuals who may not be able to access a job in the economy. That is the reason we will ensure some more intensive work is done with people who, for whatever reason, do not seem able to make that progression. There is a wide range of activity supports. There are about 3,000 community employment schemes. A large number of services is provided through community employment. The intention is to mainstream community employment because there cannot be the stop-start approach for many of these organisations which find it difficult to provide the service and in many cases would not be able to provide the service without support from the State.
The resources will not be adequate to continue to support the two types of service to which I have referred.
I am pleased to get a chance to speak. This issue relates to a question I have tabled. I do not think many people would argue against the mainstreaming of some community employment jobs. It makes sense for the Department of Education and Science rather than FÁS to decide where resources go. The same could be said in regard to the Department of Health and Children and the Department of the Environment and Local Government in terms of community employment schemes. The position is unclear regarding the transfer from community employment schemes to other areas. Deputy Rabbitte was correct when he made the point—
I am reluctant to intervene but it is important to point out that Question Time is purely for the benefit of Members to elicit information from the Minister.
I am coming to the question.
As such it is important that Members ask brief questions.
Given the increasing redundancies and the changes occurring in the economic sphere, will the Minister reconsider the work permit scheme?
Yes, we have made some changes. We have made it somewhat more difficult for employers to get a work permit. The fee has been substantially increased. It is a requirement that they must first go to FÁS who must be satisfied that there is no Irish person or European citizen available to do the work before a recommendation for a permit is granted. We probably need to do more. It is the intention to put the work permit regime on a statutory footing and, perhaps, to introduce the concept of a green card but that is a separate issue. Clearly we have been more vigilant in areas where there have been substantial job losses. FÁS has been vigilant in trying to ensure employers access the local available labour before a permit is issued.
