Vol. 491 No. 3
146 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her Department's strategies aimed at introducing an innovative approach and development of training facilities for employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12226/98]
155 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has to review FÁS training or other programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12347/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 155 together.
The Government programme, An Action Programme for the Millennium, contains a commitment to examine the future role and structure of FÁS. Arising from this examination and other developments within my Department, the Deputy will be aware of a recent Government decision to establish a new client-centred support structure for indigenous enterprise, involving the creation of a new enterprise support agency. It is intended, in this connection, that certain elements of FÁS will be incorporated into this new agency.
The strategic framework for developing our training system and programmes and ensuring that they are responsive to labour market needs was set out in the White Paper on Human Resource Development published last year. Many of the initatives proposed therein are into implementation phase. Elements which are particularly relevant include:
— the development of traineeships for which a target of some 5,000 places has been set by the year 2000
— greater access by long-term unemployed to training programmes; in this regard FÁS will be adopting an action programme for the long-term unemployed later this year — enhanced provision for early school leavers; a £26 million suite of programmes has been developed to meet their needs
