Vol. 563 No. 1
208 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Safepass training courses are being made available, free of charge, to unemployed people with the intention of working in the construction sector at present; if so, the number of people who availed of this opportunity in 2002; if this is widely available through all FÁS offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7073/03]
The FÁS Safepass training programme is available, free of charge, to unemployed persons. FÁS employment services officers conduct a career-guidance and counselling interview with unem ployed clients and as part of an agreed training plan between the FÁS employment services officer and the client, the Safepass training programme may be included. Safepass may take the form of a one-day training programme or form part of a longer duration construction training programme, including, construction related community employment schemes, community training programme, as well as a number of FÁS specific skills training programmes.
The allocation of places on training programmes is a day to day matter for FÁS as part of their responsibilities under the Labour Services Act 1987. I have asked FÁS to compile and forward the numbers of unemployed persons who have availed of Safepass training in 2002, to the Deputy as soon as possible.
