Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 10 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 3

Written Answers. - FÁS Programmes.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

117 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the training, community and social enterprise employment schemes available under the aegis of his Department; the cost of provision of these schemes; and his views on the success of such schemes to help people obtain sustainable employment.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

FÁS provides a broad range of programmes which are geared towards the perceived needs of its client group.

The mainline training programmes operated by FÁS are: skills foundation, apprenticeship, specific skills training, enterprise training, return to work, community youth training, local training initiative, community training workshops, travellers training initiative, community training workshops, travellers training centres, special vocational preparational training, linked work experience and the job training scheme. Direct expenditure of £68.634 million was incurred on these programmes in 1993. In addition, FÁS offers a broad range of evening courses on a self-financing basis.

FÁS will shortly provide a new programme — community employment — which will replace the existing social employment scheme, community employment development programme and Teamwork. Direct expenditure of £105.933 million was incurred on these programmes in 1993.

FÁS and my Department monitor all FÁS programmes on a regular basis and any identified shortcomings are rectified as necessary. I am satisfied that those programmes which are specifically geared towards assisting persons obtain sustainable employment adequately meet this objective bearing in mind the level of employment opportunities available in the economy.