Under the National Employment Action Plan, the National Employment Services (NES) provides a dual-stranded approach from FÁS and Local Employment Services (LES) to systematically engage with unemployed people on reaching three months unemployment. As part of this process, the Department of Social Protection refers people in receipt of unemployment payments to the National Employment Services. Services offered include vocational guidance/counselling, information on job opportunities, assistance with CV preparation and interview techniques, access to employment programmes and skills training. Particular emphasis is placed on the identification of training needs and on the provision of tailored responses. National Employment Action Plan clients are given priority in accessing training provided by FÁS Training Services.
The capacity of the NES is due to reach an annualised rate of over 150,000 by end of 2010. In addition, there are a significant number of clients who self-refer and receive a service from the National Employment Service on a daily basis.