Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy asked about people who are referred to FÁS. It is always interesting to note that, as soon as people get a letter about being called for interview, they leave the live register. Some 12% left immediately. They did not even go for their interviews. It could be a control measure, that is, they might not have believed that they had been on the live register legitimately. Perhaps they found other opportunities.

The Deputy asked about this year's figures. I am also disappointed that so few people have been placed in education and training. However, it was not the time of year to place people in either. For example, were one looking for places in further or higher education, one would not find them in March, April or May. I hope that the programme's take-up will increase in September when people who have been interviewed can be guided into the places in question. We must obviously keep an eye on this matter.

When people return to the live register, they are interviewed after a further three months. It is not as if they are just left there. The process is ongoing in conjunction with the education sector and FÁS. As the Deputy stated, the Local Employment Service Network, LESN, is on board throughout most of the country and is providing training and education for people who might not be picked up by other services. The LESN is running literacy, preparation for work and preparation for college courses. It is a valuable service.

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