Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 23: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she has received a detailed proposal for the reform and restructuring of FÁS by the board of that organisation; the contents of that proposal; when she expects to make a decision regarding the restructuring of FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47393/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Board of FÁS recently submitted its proposal for a new training agency. This takes into account the transfer of certain responsibilities from this Department to the Department of Social Protection. The proposal includes: The provision of short to medium training courses ranging from level 3 to 6 on the NFQ delivered through a variety of methods including e learning; The delivery of training through specific industry-related career cluster frameworks related by skills or products such as ICT, sales or marketing; The same access to training programmes for persons with disabilities as other individuals except those who require higher levels of support including the assistance of Specialist Training Providers;

I met with the Board of FÁS last month to discuss its proposal. The proposal is currently being reviewed in my Department in the context of the National Skills Strategy with a view to ensuring optimum synergy with other actors in the further education and training area. Work on this process will continue in tandem with the integration of the employment programmes and employment services into the Department of Social Protection. I intend to announce final detail of the newly-focussed skills and training provider next year.