Vol. 570 No. 2
179 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which reduction in the FÁS budget authorised by her Department has affected the reduction in training or employment places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18840/03]
In deciding on the 2003 allocations for FÁS, the Government was conscious of the need to maximise, within the current constraints on public expenditure, investment in measures that have a primary focus on employability. The FÁS budget for 2003 is €814 million. This compares to €860 million in 2002.
This decrease is, in the main, reflected in the funding of the community employment programme. This is consistent with the Government's decision to restructure CE, with levels being gradually reduced to reflect the significant reduction in the numbers of long-term unemployed and the shift in emphasis away from work experience programmes to training.
Overall investment in FÁS training programmes in 2003 is being maintained close to 2002 levels with funding of €297 million being made available compared to €301 million in 2002. This will result in some reduction in training places in 2003. FÁS, taking into account policy guidelines, will decide on the priorities between schemes and activities from within this allocation. FÁS will also be required to maximise the benefits to its client base of the available funding through greater efficiencies.
Question No. 180 answered with Question No. 89.
Question No. 181 answered with Question No. 70.
