asked the Minister for Labour if his approval was sought by CERT to impose charges on applicants for training courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
58.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CERT Charges.
38.
asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the fact that each individual application for CERT training must now be accompanied by a fee of £10 per course that many CERT applicants are from low income families and will be deprived of training opportunities because they cannot afford to pay a £10 application fee for each and every course; that other third level applications bureaux, such as CAO and DIT, allow applicants a choice of courses; and if he will take steps to ensure that a more equitable system of applications is devised for CERT training.
I propose to take Question Nos. 38 and 58 together.
My policy in relation to CERT funding is that a greater proportion should be generated from non-Exchequer sources and CERT do not require my approval for introducing such charges nor did they at any stage inform me of their latest decisions.
The £10 application fee has been introduced by CERT because of the high cost of its recruitment programme. This will enable the recruitment programme to continue to be operated on a nation-wide basis with interviews being held in local centres throughout the country. The one £10 payment entitles an applicant to be considered for a number of CERT's mainline programmes other than that for chef training, for which a separate fee of £10 must be paid. There is no fee payable in respect of the programmes directed specifically at the unemployed.
It is not CERT's intention that the fee should be a barrier to those who are genuinely interested but cannot afford to pay the fee. The fee can be waived in exceptional circumstances.
Would the Minister accept that we have discussed on several occasions the question of where funding for CERT might come from? On each of those occasions a greater contribution from the hotel sector or the catering industry has been mentioned but there has never been a suggestion that the applicant for training should be expected to pay. While the Minister has clarified the circumstances in which multiple payments can arise, it seems quite inequitous that anyone should have to pay more than one application fee to the same agency.
CERT management in their wisdom saw the necessity. They have a number of difficulties. CERT have 7,000 applications annually for 1,200 vacancies. There is an 11 per cent "no show" rate at interview and a 52 per cent non-acceptance rate at offer stage. Apart from financial considerations, it is hoped that the application fee will improve the rate of serious applications for places. They are not charging this fee for courses for the unemployed. The Deputy has made a point which I will raise directly with CERT.
Does the Minister regard it as acceptable that a major departure like this by a State agency under his Department should take place without his foreknowledge?
No, I do not think it should take place.