Vol. 521 No. 1
67 Mr. Boylan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a skills audit of asylum seekers who are currently waiting for their applications to be processed has been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15535/00]
The Government decision of July 1999 allowed asylum seekers, who had been in the country for more than 12 months, and who were awaiting a decision on their applications, to seek employment. In conjunction with this decision I arranged to have funds made available to FÁS to set up a special unit to help eligible asylum seekers find employ ment in Ireland. The main task of this unit is to assess the skills of the eligible asylum seekers and to match them to available jobs.
The unit in Tallaght, established in April this year, has adopted a process of mediation and guidance specifically designed, using a combination of new technology software packages in conjunction with non-judgmental interview techniques. This system allows the client an opportunity to express their perceptions and ambitions with regard to work in Ireland and also to determine their skills. The system also allows the asylum seeker to test their competencies for a wide range of jobs and tries to identify those skills that can best be used in the Irish labour market.
The results of the initial phase of the skills audit suggest that up to 60% of those profiled are considered job ready, with the provision of some local supports to enable them to acclimatise to working in Ireland.
Some 35 persons have already been placed with employers and this process is continuing. It is intended to establish a second unit this month, based in Blanchardstown, to cater for the needs of North Dublin, North Kildare and the city centre. It is further planned to extend the service to the rest of the State starting in August 2000.
