FÁS Training Programmes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 June 2010

Thursday, 3 June 2010

Ceisteanna (157)

Noel Coonan

Ceist:

156 Deputy Noel J. Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons in the constituency of Tipperary north waiting on FÁS training schemes; the waiting time for persons due to start these schemes; if the number of staff working in FÁS offices in north Tipperary has increased over the past year; the increase in the numbers of clients seeking assistance this year over the past year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23867/10]

Freagraí scríofa

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

I understand that there are 151 persons currently in line to take up training courses delivered through FÁS in North Tipperary. Training courses held in North Tipperary are delivered by contracted trainers and are operated subject to demand. Waiting times for courses vary depending on the nature of the training provided.

The Live Register figures for the North Tipperary area since November 2008 have increased by over three thousand persons as at March 2010 and this is reflected in the increased demand for FÁS services where for the past two years, 2008 and 2009, there have been a total of 3542 new registrations at FÁS Employment Service offices in North Tipperary.

The staffing of FÁS offices is a day-to-day matter for the Agency as provided for in the Labour Services Act, 1987 and the Labour Services (Amendment) Act, 2009.