Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The format and timing of the debate can be decided at the Whips' meeting.

It is important to point out that the DDDA report is in draft form and it was not the Government that made it available to the press. It is clearly the Minister's intention to have the report published as quickly as possible, although I am not yet in a position to give a specific date.

On the matter of FÁS, all the relevant Ministers met last night to discuss the implementation of the decision made by the Taoiseach. FÁS will continue to provide the programmes for which it currently has responsibility. Responsibility for FÁS as a State body and funding related to training and skills will be transferred to the Department of Education and Skills. The Department of Social Protection will receive funding for the programmes for which it has acquired responsibility, and pending the full integration of the service into the Department, it will arrange with FÁS for the supply of programmes currently delivered by that body. The changes will be finalised by a Government order in the next week or two and the appropriate funding adjustments will take place in the Estimates. In the meantime, the current reporting arrangements and responsibilities continue to apply.

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