In order to meet the challenges of the changing economy there will be greater policy emphasis on activation and training for the unemployed. The budget for FÁS for 2009 was agreed on the basis of detailed discussions between FÁS, my Department and the Department of Finance in the context of the annual Estimates process. A budget of €1,050,488 was allocated to FÁS for 2009.
This includes €450m in respect of Employment Programmes which includes Community Employment and Job Initiative, with a view to maintaining overall numbers on the scheme and the continuation of training for participants.
Within the FÁS budget, the allocation from the National Training Fund for training the unemployed has been increased by €9.5 million to €208.3 million. This funding will help workers who have recently lost their jobs, including redundant apprentices, by providing additional opportunities for training and re-skilling.