Vol. 498 No. 3
64 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the contractual arrangements that TASC has with FÁS for training mediators with the local employment services; when this contract will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27091/98]
The local employment service — LES — support unit in FÁS was asked, in 1995, by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to examine the training and development needs of staff in the LES. One of the immediate needs identified for LES staff was training in career path planning which would provide an individual tailor made approach on a caseload basis.
Tenders were sought by FÁS, in accordance with required tendering procedures, from companies to provide a basic foundation course to mediators. The interdepartmental advisory group, on which my Department is represented and for which my Department provides secretariat services, oversees the operation and development of the LES and they agreed in principle for FÁS to award a contract to a particular company to deliver foundation training as from February 1996. The contract was extended in 1997, with approval from the interdepartmental advisory group, as a result of the expansion of the LES to new areas during that year.
The company has continued to provide such training as well as to develop a training support manual for mediators.
I recently announced the extension of the LES to seven new areas. The training needs of staff in those new areas, including the arrangements for the provision of that training, will be examined as they come on stream. If the Deputy requires further details on developments I would be happy to provide them.
