Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Regarding the new initiatives announced by the Minister and the Tánaiste in recent weeks, is the former satisfied with the sufficiency of the number of places? The work placement and short-time working programmes consist of approximately 2,277 places over a 52-week period whereas 3,375 jobs are being lost every seven days.

I have tabled a number of parliamentary questions regarding referrals to FÁS. The total number of referrals has almost doubled. While this sounds fantastic, looking behind the figures for the results shows a pathetic situation. Last year, the Department of Social and Family Affairs referred 60,000 people to FÁS. Some 41,000 were interviewed and 7,846 were placed in jobs, training or education. According to the Minister, 21,000 were interviewed but not placed in jobs, training or education. What occurred to those 21,000 people and what of the 12,000 who formed part of the original 41,000? They have just gone.

The figures for the first quarter of this year are even more worrying. Of those sent to FÁS, only 7% were placed in jobs, training or education. Last year, the figure for people with a successful outcome was 13%. What follow-up does the Department carry out after people are sent to FÁS to ensure that instead of just sending people for a short period or an interview, we are sending them to get something out of the opportunity? In the current climate, 7% for the first quarter is pathetic.

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