Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 1991

Vol. 404 No. 4

Written Answers. - FÁS Places for Women.

Mary Flaherty

Ceist:

234 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider the possibility of establishing a quota of FÁS places being set aside for women who are seeking to return to work after family responsibilities, as current regulations exclude them.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

A number of paragraphs in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, which the Government are committed to implement following adoption by interested parties, contain proposals on assisting women to improve their position in the workforce.

Paragraph 92 of section IV of the programme sets out the Government's commitment to the attainment of a society based on principles of equality and equal opportunity.

Paragraph 99 of section IV recognises that, arising out of theProgramme for National Recovery, FÁS have expanded the opportunities for women to take up careers in non-traditional areas. This was achieved through the FÁS positive action programme which has as its overall objective to increase and broaden the range of job opportunities available to women in the labour market. Specific objectives include positive action to break down traditional patterns of occupational segregation by encouraging increased female participation in sectors of the labour market traditionally dominated by men. FÁS encourage women who wish to return to work after a period of absence from the workforce to undertake “return to work” courses. There is no regulation currently in force which excludes women from such courses. In 1989, 652 women completed “return to work” courses. The FÁS positive action programme in 1990 increased this figure to a target of 960 women.

During 1991 FÁS will continue to provide the positive action programme and 1991 targets are now being set by FÁS. Under the programme targets are also set in relation to female participation in apprenticeship, building on experience courses and employment schemes. There is also continuing liaison between FÁS and the Employment Equality Agency on the question of equality for women in relation to FÁS activities.

Paragraph 124 of section V of the proposedProgramme for Economic and Social Progress provides that the live register requirements in the case of women applicants should be relaxed to facilitate women who wish to return to the workforce. I am considering how progress can be made in this area.