asked the Minister for Labour if it is his intention to change the current policy whereby unemployed people over the age of 25 years must be unemployed for a year or more before they can get a training course from FÁS.
Written Answers. - FÁS Training Course.
36.
Priority is given, within the range of FÁS training programmes, to the long term unemployed and young people, particularly early school leavers. In addition, in deciding upon the eligibility criteria for programmes regard must be had to the regulations of the European Social Fund in the interest of minimising Exchequer expenditure. In broad terms, assistance from the European Social Fund for training is confined to those under 25 years and the long term unemployment regardless of age. I am hopeful that, in the context of the revised EC structural funds, financial assistance will be available for additional training activity for short term unemployed people over 25.
Against the background of the priorities and financial considerations which I have outlined, I have asked FÁS to make a £1 million provision within its training programmes in 1988 for the short term unemployed over-25s.