Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:172 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a person on deserted wife's benefit can avail of a FÁS scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3024/00]
Written Answers. - FÁS Training Courses.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:173 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a person receiving deserted wife's benefit can participate in a FÁS course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3025/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.
FÁS training courses are open to all unemployed persons seeking to get back into the workforce including persons on deserted wives benefit – DWB.
In respect of schemes such as the community employment scheme persons in receipt of DWB with children can participate by transferring to the one parent family payment. DWB recipients without children are not, however, eligible to par ticipate in this programme. CE is a very popular programme and limited resources make it impossible to provide places for all unemployed persons. Therefore, it is essential to target the programme at those most in need, namely the long-term unemployed, over 35.