Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I want to provide the context for this issue. In 2010 some 20 courses were offered to residents of Balbriggan and the surrounding areas in the FÁS facility. In 2011 the number of courses was reduced to 12 and as of last month there is none. In terms of the number of people unemployed in the area, in 2010 that figure was 3,000, in 2011 it was 4,000 and now in 2012, it is almost 5,000, of which some 25% are under 25 years of age. In the most recent and previous census, Balbriggan was the second fastest growing urban centre in the State, just behind Dublin 15. However, it is now in the unfortunate position of having no training courses available for those seeking employment.

I accept what FÁS has said with regard to the effectiveness of the courses in generating employment for participants. At the same time, it is incumbent on the State to do what it can to upskill individuals who, for various reasons but through no fault of their own, find themselves unemployed. Balbriggan is a town of 15,000 people and for that number of its population to be unemployed is shocking. A number of arguments have been made for relocating the courses and for sending Balbriggan residents 30 km to the Baldoyle facility. However, the travel allowance provided to these social welfare recipients is only €20. A single ticket from Balbriggan to Baldoyle is €4.70 and it amounts to €33 per week there and back for attendees. That may not seem like much money to some but it is a significant amount for social welfare recipients attempting to upskill in order to more readily find employment.

What is the rationale behind stopping courses in the Balbriggan facility and will the Minister of State reconsider the decision to discontinue courses there, given the growth in the town and obvious difficulties with employment in the area? A large number of potential students are under 25 and some may not have third level qualifications and use FÁS or SOLAS as an opportunity to upskill. I am interested in the Minister of State's comments.

See this speech in context