Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

This recognises there are people who are able to provide targeted different approaches. It is a little unfair of Deputies in talking about FÁS to criticise much of the local provision. There is no question about the need for the new legislation which the Tánaiste is introducing on reform of FÁS at the top level and its governance. However, local FÁS training offices around the country have started to adapt to new needs. They are bringing in people who formerly worked in the construction industry and retraining them in the retrofitting and green energy technology. This is taking place in Loughlinstown where people are being up-skilled and also in other FÁS centres around the country. It does a terrible disservice and disrespect to the local FÁS training centres to say that they are not adapting in that way because it is happening. The VECs are responding in a really positive way to the needs and there can always be a greater role for them.

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