FÁS Training Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2010

Tuesday, 11 May 2010

Ceisteanna (313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318)

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

352 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 25 March 2010 and the subsequent reply from FÁS (details supplied) which restates the existing position, her views on changing the existing practice whereby trainers are paid only at the end of the contract period and are consequently precluded from unemployment benefit or assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18776/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

My colleague the Minister for Labour Affairs and for Public Service Transformation set out in his reply to the Deputy on 25th March 2010 that the matter in question is a day-to-day staffing one for FÁS as provided for in the Labour Services Act, 1987. I understand that FÁS, at the request of the said Minister, has since written directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

353 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who was offered a place on a FÁS course at a time when the offer of a place automatically meant entitlement to a training allowance now finds that having voluntarily given up their previous employment to pursue this course that the regulations have changed and FÁS will no longer pay them a training allowance; if in the circumstances he will arrange for payment of the allowance in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18912/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

The individual case referred to by the Deputy is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as provided for under the Labour Services Act, 1987.

Following the December 2009 Budget the payment of FÁS training allowances is now aligned to a person's entitlement to supports for jobseekers and Department of Social Protection rules. Consequently, where a trainee is entitled to a welfare payment at the commencement of his or her training course he/she will receive a FÁS training allowance for the duration of the course. If a trainee is not entitled to a welfare payment at the commencement of the training course then he or she will not receive a training allowance.

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

354 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of public sector bodies which have applied for and been approved for the FÁS work placement scheme in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18985/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

355 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of private sector employers who have applied for and been approved for the FÁS work placement scheme in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18986/10]

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

356 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants who have been placed and commenced work under the FÁS work placement programme; the location of these placements on a county basis; the FÁS areas at which work placements need to be filled in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18987/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 to 356, inclusive, together.

The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience for up to 2,000 unemployed individuals, including graduates. 64 Public Sector bodies applied and were approved for the Work Placement Scheme in 2009. 559 Private Sector employers applied and were approved for the Work Placement Scheme in 2009.

As at 7th May 2010 there have been 919 placements on the Work Placement Programme. There are currently 1,589 vacancies for places under the programme.

I have outlined in the tables below the location of these placements by county and the FÁS areas at which work placements need to be filled.

The location of these placements by county

FÁS Region	Areas/Counties	Number of Placements Commenced
Dublin Central	Baggot Court, D’Olier House, Parnell Street, Ballyfermot, Cabra	204
Dublin North	Baldoyle, Balbriggan, Swords, Blanchardstown, Coolock, Finglas	81
Dublin South	Rathfarnham, Crumlin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire, Loughlinstown	87
Midlands	Kildare, Laois , Longford, Offal, Westmeath	53
Mid West	Clare, Limerick, Tipperary	73
North East	Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan	58
North West	Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo	36
South East	Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow	90
South West	Cork, Kerry	135
West	Galway, Mayo, Roscommon	102
Total		919

The FÁS areas at which work placements need to be filled

FÁS Region	Areas/Counties	Number Of Available Placements
Dublin Central	Baggot Court, D’Olier House, Parnell Street, Ballyfermot, Cabra	192
Dublin North	Baldoyle, Balbriggan, Swords, Blanchardstown, Coolock, Finglas	120
Dublin South	Rathfarnham, Crumlin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire, Loughlinstown	167
Midlands	Kildare, Laois, Longford, Offal, Westmeath	174
Mid West	Clare, Limerick, Tipperary	123
North East	Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan	177
North West	Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo	104
South East	Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow	193
South West	Cork, Kerry	153
West	Galway, Mayo, Roscommon	183
Total		1,589

FÁS are continuing to promote the programme including with employers representative bodies.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

357 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons in receipt of each of the FÁS participation allowances. [19315/10]

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I am investigating the feasibility of providing this information and will reply to the Deputy substantively in the matter as soon as possible.