FÁS Job Clubs were introduced in 1999 to assist people who were actively seeking employment by providing support for the job search process and an environment in which it could be carried out. Independent Sponsor Groups are contracted by FÁS on a year to year basis to run the programme. Job Clubs are seen as an important resource and intervention for those who have recently completed training programmes or have recently become unemployed. They provide both a formal and structured input as well as a drop-in resource facility. They also help the individual in overcoming the personal effects of unemployment by providing a mutual support forum from people in a similar situation.
I am advised that there is one formal Job Club in each of the counties Sligo, Kilkenny and Carlow. The following table contains details of the number of clients dealt with in each of these Jobs Clubs on a one-to-one basis in 2006, 2007 and 2008:
Sligo
|
Total
|
2006
|
80
|
2007
|
65
|
2008
|
109
|
TOTAL
|
254
|
Kilkenny
|
Total
|
2006
|
131
|
2007
|
129
|
2008
|
155
|
TOTAL
|
415
|
Carlow
|
Total
|
2006
|
119
|
2007
|
89
|
2008
|
110
|
TOTAL
|
318
|