FÁS Training Programmes.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 November 2009

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Ceisteanna (99)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

134 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons who are currently on waiting lists for FÁS training schemes; the number of these who were previously self-employed before becoming unemployed; the waiting time for persons on the waiting lists to start their courses; if she will provide a breakdown of the figures per administrative region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42118/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Dara Calleary)

I understand from FÁS that as at 16 November 2009 the number of persons who were currently on waiting lists for FÁS training schemes totalled 41,157. The following table breaks this figure down into regions.

Region	Number of Applicants
Dublin	13,986
Midlands	2,510
Mid West	3,781
North East	2,947
North West	3,018
South East	5,361
South West	7,058
West	2,496
Total	41,157

Waiting times vary considerably among courses and depend on the type of course being applied for as well as its duration and the capacity of each class. For example short (modular) courses that on average run every 4-9 weeks have a shorter waiting time when compared to traditional longer courses that would tend to run from 10-49 weeks. The previous status of persons applying for FÁS courses is not transferred to FÁS by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, only their current unemployed status. Every effort is being made by FÁS to reduce course waiting times to an absolute minimum.