Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It has been suggested that no training is available. There has been a substantial increase in the number of places provided this year. As for FÁS, the agency now is under the leadership of a new chief executive and is proceeding with its work. It is dealing with the issues that arose in respect of the governance questions and is getting on with its business. The new incumbent should be allowed to do so and I am sure he has the support of all Members in bringing forward that organisation in a way that will assist public confidence in it. Since the beginning of the year, there has been a reallocation of substantial additional resources to boost job search, training, work experience and educational opportunities. The Government effectively has doubled the job search referral capacity from 6,500 to 12,250 per month, bringing the total number of places for referral by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to 147,000 per year. The Government has increased the total number of training places provided by FÁS for this year to a total of 128,000, as against 66,000 cases taken up last year. Specific provisions have been made for apprenticeships to further their apprenticeships and provision has been made of more than 6,000 additional places in further and higher education. There has been significantly improved access to supports for individual enterprises through back-to-work and back-to-education schemes, which the Deputy is aware have seen a good take-up. It is not correct to claim initiatives have not been taken in this area. They continue to be taken-----

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