asked the Minister for Labour in respect of the State agencies directly under his aegis, the action which they have taken to establish a five year development plan to develop overseas services on a consultancy basis relating to the skills and experience of the State agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter indicating (a) the number of contracts, if any, which have been obtained and (b) the approximate value of the work which has been obtained.
Written Answers. - State Agencies Overseas Services.
223.
The agencies under my authority engaging in consultancy work overseas are FAS and CERT. Both agencies have prepared five year development plans as part of the Government's drive to expand the sale of Irish services abroad.
As provided for in the Labour Services Act, 1987, FÁS established a subsidiary company called the Irish Labour Training Services Limited to sell consultancy services overseas. During 1988, this body worked on 16 contracts (including some previously handled by AnCO) with a total value of approximately £4.64 million. CERT was involved in two overseas contracts in 1988 with a total value of approximately £160,000.