Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I will undertake to convey the Deputy's sentiments to FÁS as it carries out the review of training provision in north Dublin in general. As I indicated, there has been no decision by FÁS to discontinue all training courses in the Balbriggan area. The review of the FÁS contracted training provision for 2012 within Balbriggan and other areas will highlight the relevant training requirements that will provide timely and effective outcomes for participants and deliver value for money for FÁS training services.

We must acknowledge that there have been past difficulties with the quality of courses delivered by FÁS and the outcomes for participants. In particular, there have been difficulties with placement rates at the end of these courses. We must ask ourselves, not alone for the north Dublin case but for the entire country, if we intend to continue training provision for the sake of it or if we will carry out an in-depth and forensic analysis of the kind of training being provided. Will we assess whether the training is appropriate to the needs of the learner or client, as well as the needs of enterprise in each specific area? FÁS is undertaking to answer these questions to ensure that the training being provided is appropriate to the needs of the learner and enterprise in general. I am confident that when the review is complete, there will be training provision in Balbriggan and nobody in the area who seeks to have a high quality and appropriate level of training will be in any way disadvantaged.

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