In Budget 2010 it was announced that my Department will deliver an additional 16,000 training places for the unemployed. The additional places are comprised of several measures, which are as follows.
9,000 additional places on FAS short training courses.
3,500 training places to be delivered as part of Ireland's applications under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. This EU fund provides support for the upskilling of redundant workers in the case of large-scale company closures.
At least 3,5000 training places to be delivered as part of the new Labour Market Activation Fund.
My Department will also deliver an additional 500 Community Employment places this year.
These additional training places will be delivered by a range of different providers and will come on stream during the course of the year.