Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I have given my reason. I wish to raise another issue which is to do with the courses run by FÁS. It seems the marking criteria for some of these courses has not been followed and a review of those courses has taken place. I ask for a debate about the kind of courses being run by FÁS, their content and cost and how applicants are being assessed. It was the case that people were used as fillers in order for the course to proceed. I ask for a debate on how these courses fit in with today's thinking on job retraining, job creation and upskilling. I am in a position where I should know about these courses but I do not know enough about them.

Another important point is the liaison between VECs and FÁS. In my view there is a lot of duplication and waste of money. I recommend a debate on this issue.