John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I am taking this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Mary Coughlan. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it gives me the opportunity to set out the latest position regarding FÁS training facilities in north Dublin following the closure of the FÁS facility in Jervis Street and the plan to close its training centre in Cabra. I am familiar with a number of the staff at that centre, having worked there for many years.

I wish to outline the respective roles FÁS and the Minister for Education and Skills play in State training facilities. The role of the Minister for Education and Skills is to provide public funding and overall policy direction to FÁS rather than get involved in the day-to-day running of FÁS. Decisions of this nature are day-to-day operational matters for FÁS as part of its responsibilities under the Labour Services Act 1987.

I now turn to the specific matters raised by the Deputy and begin by setting out the background and current situation at the Cabra training centre. FÁS commissioned a report on the condition of the roof of the Cabra training centre, which was received last week. The report highlighted a potential health and safety risk and recommended replacement of the entire roof structure as soon as possible or, alternatively, the demolition of the current building and the rebuilding of a new centre. This means that in order to ensure the future safety and welfare of both the training centre staff and its trainees, it will be necessary, regrettably, to discontinue shortly the use of part, or all, of the Cabra training centre. FÁS is devising an action plan to ensure that any disruption to clients during this period is kept to an absolute minimum. In this context I understand that consultation is taking place with its staff and staff representatives on the development of a plan to ensure that training and employment services are provided as required at alternative locations.

The Cabra training centre is a relatively small one and was established in 1978. The centre also accommodates a small employment services office. In terms of training capacity it can cater for up to 82 apprentice places and 250 adult day places as well as evening courses. With the exception of a small number of courses, waiting times for course participants are relatively short. There are currently 155 trainees and 14 apprentices on full-time courses in the Cabra training centre and a further 362 trainees on short duration evening courses who will complete their courses by 11 November. FÁS does not envisage that the difficulties relating to the roof will result in the loss of any training places. Where possible, courses will be accommodated in other FÁS training centres or at alternative locations in the Dublin area. Both Finglas and Ballyfermot training centres have capacity to deliver additional full-time, part-time, blended and evening training programmes in the same manner and range as the Cabra training centre. In addition, FÁS will explore the feasibility of co-operating with other non-private daytime training and education providers in the Dublin 7, 11, and 15 areas.

As far as the provision of employment services is concerned, alternative offices are located in Blanchardstown, Ballyfermot, Baldoyle, Crumlin, D'Olier Street, Parnell Street and Finglas. Any person seeking a FÁS service will be accommodated in these offices. If appropriate, FÁS will also explore the feasibility of providing employment services in an alternative location in the Cabra area.

In the context of the next steps, an action plan to redeploy staff and training as necessary is being drawn up and will be implemented as quickly as possible. The board of FÁS will consider the options available for the training centre at its next meeting on 9 November. It is very regrettable that this action has to be taken. However, I emphasise that the health and safety of FÁS learners and staff must be the primary consideration. All efforts will be made by FÁS to minimise any disruption.

I refer to the closure of the FÁS facility in Jervis Street. The lease for the FÁS premises in Jervis Street expired in July 2009. An orderly wind-down of the training facility commenced well before the expiry of the lease involving the redeployment of the longer-term training programmes to ensure minimum disruption for the trainees involved. This left a small number of training courses that were relocated to other training locations in Tallaght, Ballyfermot and Finglas. Those trainees who had commenced their courses in Jervis Street were allowed to complete their training at the facility before its final closure. FÁS continues to provide training courses close to the city centre, through contracted service providers, in line with demand.

As far as the provision of employment services is concerned, this service was relocated to a new ground-floor office in Parnell Street near to the former location. This new facility also accommodates the offices of the Department of Social Protection and thus provides the additional benefit to those clients seeking to avail of the services of both FÁS and the Department of Social Protection in a single location. In conclusion, I assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to ensure that disruption to clients is kept to a minimum and that alternative locations are found to assist in the training of the unemployed in the north west and north inner city. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

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