As outlined by my colleague the Minister of State, Ciaran Cannon T.D at the Department of Education and Skills in a reply to question number 58 dated 10th October 2012, FÁS training services provide training courses that are accredited by various bodies, including City and Guilds.
Under the technical employment support grant (TESG) managed by my Department, support can be provided to an eligible person to pursue certified courses, including City and Guilds. To qualify, an unemployed person must be in receipt of certain DSP payments, be experiencing barriers to entering or re-entering the labour market and must be registered with my Department’s Employment Services. TESG can be used to meet the full costs of such courses up to maximum of €500 per jobseeker per annum. In 2011 over 160 jobseekers availed of City and Guild courses funded by TESG. To the end of September 2012 the number that received funds from TESG for City and Guild certified courses was 191.