asked the Minister for Labour the amount of money spent by the Government on support services for young people considering emigration.
Written Answers. - Support Services for Emigrants.
177.
Pre-departure information and advisory services for persons contemplating employment abroad are administered by FÁS through its national network of offices. These are part of the general services provided by FÁS for the public at large and it is not possible to isolate the cost of the youth emigrant-support element from the overall costs.
The printing costs of the information booklet "Working Abroad", available from FÁS offices, and of the posters used in the publicity campaign in 1987, amounted to £11,000.
FÁS participates in the European Community SEDOC system whereby details of unfilled vacancies and of job-seekers looking for work elsewhere in the Community are regularly exchanged between the national employment services. The service is open to young people as well as adults and is also used by students looking for summer jobs abroad.
In addition, various voluntary bodies around the country are assisted by FÁS, through its social employment scheme and Teamwork programme, in the provision of support services for prospective emigrants, young and adult. I do not have a breakdown of the expenditure involved readily available.
In 1987, in accordance with the recommendations of DION, the advisory committee on emigrant welfare, grants amounting to £250,000 were paid by my Department to voluntary agencies, mainly based in the United Kingdom providing support services for emigrants generally but particularly young people. A sum of £10,000 was paid to the Emigrant Advice Centre in Dublin on DION's recommendation.
In addition to the amounts mentioned above, some expenditure may be incurred by other Ministers in providing support services for young emigrants.