Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important matter for the Adjournment debate. As the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation will be aware, a significant number of community groups and local authorities participated in FÁS schemes from their early days. In every parish and town in County Tipperary, FÁS schemes contributed to education, community work and, in particular, the improvement of villages and towns. I speak of places like Emly, which won the TidyTowns award last year. Many tidy schools, villages and graveyards made good use of FÁS schemes.

The schemes also acted as a training ground for people who learned to become carpenters, brick layers and plasterers. Some of these individuals went on to find jobs that took advantage of the Celtic tiger and they were able improve their lives and that of their families. I can instance many families in south Tipperary who benefited enormously from the training they received through FÁS schemes.

Alongside the poor publicity FÁS has received over the past 12 months, some of these schemes are being cut. People in south Tipperary are worried and unsure whether their schemes will be retained. In particular, South Tipperary County Council requested a meeting with the Minister in the next few weeks regarding its concerns about the continuation of the schemes right across the local authority area. They have helped with things like the TidyTowns competitions and in other work that councils carry out. The schemes allow people to be involved in education, while many mentally handicapped people were also trained through the schemes. These people are now extremely concerned.

I am not raising this issue tonight to bash FÁS, but I just want some clarification for the people of south Tipperary on the type of scheme and the numbers involved. FÁS did a great job in many cases. While we can criticise the organisation on some issues, it has done a lot of good work and many communities benefited greatly. I would like clarification on the future of the schemes in the county.

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