Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered using social media as a way to match up potential jobseekers or those seeking further education opportunities; if any approach has been made with the major social networks based here with a view to adapting their services in the newly created SOLAS framework; if online teaching of courses has been considered as a method of delivering course content to those who cannot be at the training centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32547/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I believe that, in general, education and training providers should bear in mind the potential for using, where feasible, social media to assist job seekers and those seeking further training and education opportunities.

For example, FÁS has recently launched a "Jobseekers App" that provides access to the FÁS Jobs Ireland website where jobseekers can find information on job vacancies, on JobBridge internship and Work Placement Programme (WPP) opportunities as well as on Community Employment vacancies.

FÁS has a number of Facebook pages and Twitter accounts relating to FÁS, JobBridge, the Work Placement Programme and Screen Training Ireland. These pages are used to provide information and updates on new programmes and courses, upcoming events and press releases etc.

FÁS already provides a range of On-Line courses that cater for individuals who are IT-literate and who wish to work at their own pace and in their own time and without a requirement for any additional supports. I understand that Learners can register for on-line courses through www.ecollege.ie

In addition, FÁS in partnership with the Library Council of Ireland has devised a programme, E-Learning at the Library, to make learning available to clients in circa 100 local libraries. The aim of the programme is to up-skill local persons in Digital Competence and IT Skills.

In the Further Education sector, while opportunities for distance learning are limited, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) has developed a number of distance learning opportunities including a TV series: Read Write Now (2000 to 2004), The Really Useful Guide to Words and Numbers (2006 and 2007) and Written off? (2008 and 2009).

Skillnets, a state funded, enterprise-led support body that promotes training and upskilling has also been using social media in recent months in communicating with/advertising its services/programmes to job-seekers. In addition, Skillnets is commencing an advertising campaign with LinkedIn which is targeted at HR staff. Skillnet network managers have recently produced an Online Promotion Guide which is a network manager's guide to social media promotion through LinkedIn and Facebook

In relation to the development of the framework for SOLAS, this project involves working towards the full integration of the separate Further Education and Training sectors. The education and training programmes to be provided through SOLAS will be modernised over the whole sector to become more relevant, accessible, and more effective. Since August 2011, I have been leading detailed planning work for the key elements of the new organisation, including its Mission, Legislative basis, Structure, Staffing and Funding. A draft Action Plan is nearing finalisation and my Department will shortly commence consultations with various interested stakeholders on it.

As part of the Government's Jobs Initiative, 6,000 part time higher education places are being funded through Springboard, a specific initiative targeted at unemployed people who have lost jobs in sectors where employment levels will not return and who will need new qualifications and skills to re-enter employment as the economy recovers. Many of the Springboard courses are delivered online including a number of programmes with the Open University and Oscail. Full details regarding all Springboard courses including course delivery methods can be found on the Bluebrick.ie web portal.