FÁS Training Programmes Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2013

Thursday, 25 April 2013

Questions (77)

Willie O'Dea

Question:

77. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that FÁS has commenced a tendering process for vocational training services for persons with disabilities; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that most European countries have excluded these services from the public procurement process in order to meet the support needs of persons with disabilities who are very distant from the labour market; if he supports this decision by FÁS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19591/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Tendering guideline documents for specialist training provision are currently being developed by FÁS to enable a procurement pilot to take place. The pilot is being undertaken as a result of a policy decision in 2010, on foot of legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General that in view of the large value of the contracts involved, they should be advertised and a public tendering process should be put in place.