Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Obviously I do not know the specifics set out by Deputy Kenny. If FÁS has a budget of €900 million and its advertising budget is 1% of that, €9 million, obviously one wants to get value for money from it. FÁS is involved in the important work of reskilling and bringing opportunities to the public's attention, particularly to those who are not in the workforce and who are socially excluded and require assistance in reskilling and finding job opportunities. FÁS has played a very good role in that effort and has been addressing itself to the new agenda that arises. Now that we have seen unemployment rise again, relatively speaking, in recent times, Deputy Kenny can be assured that FÁS and its skills will be required on a continuous basis.

I cannot comment on the specific issue that is being raised except to say that the concentration of Government activity has to be on the current side to get value for money and to bring to public attention, however one can and as economically as possible, the job FÁS does to ensure those who can avail of those services do so.

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