My Department monitors, on a continuing basis, a broad range of data from FÁS relating to expenditure and levels of activity achieved on its various programmes, numbers placed in employment having completed FÁS programmes and so on, and compares such data with the performance levels of previous years with a view, in particular, to identifying any areas where improvement might be merited. Programmes are also monitored by FÁS itself and through my Department's European Social Fund Evaluation Unit.
International monitoring includes studies by FÁS of its own performance levels, the attitudes of its clients to the various programmes offered, the numbers who are in employment one year after completing FÁS training programmes, and various other studies on individual programmes conducted either internally or with the assistance of outside organisations. I understand that, following a recent review of performance indicators, the FÁS board decided that the considerable efforts it has been making to assess its performance should now be further intensified. Work is in hand to implement this decision. I will also ensure that any recommendations made by my Department's ESF Evaluation Unit, which will approve the quality and relevance of training provided, will be acted on.
In the Operational Programme for the Development of Human Resources, base-line indicators were set in 1994 and targets to be achieved by 1999 have been established. In accordance with the programme, all training measures implemented by FÁS are monitored by reference to four basic performance indicators. These indicators focus on placement rates following completion of training; progression rates from lower level to advance level training; recognition of standards achieved through the certification of courses and the provision made for training of trainers to ensure that their own standards are at least adequate to meet current industrial and technological needs.