Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he accepts that employment figures for a number of housing estates in the Tallaght area where the clusters of long-term unemployed are unacceptable; and if he has any new initiatives to overcome unemployment in those areas. [30307/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Sustainable reductions in unemployment are a key priority in the Government's national employment action plan. My efforts, and those of the state agencies under the aegis of my Department, are directed towards this end. FÁS, through its three employment service offices, provides a vocational guidance and referral service to all jobseekers in the Tallaght area. To date, this year, 1,192 unemployed people have been referred to FÁS under this initiative.

In the case of the five high unemployment areas of Tallaght, Fettercairn, Brookfield, Jobstown and Kilinarden, FÁS is devoting concentrated resources to clients in these areas by placing them on top of the training course waiting lists. They are also given preference under the high supports process. FÁS has indicated that 16 clients a week from the five areas are interviewed and offered support. At present 64 clients are undergoing training or career guidance. As a further measure early school leavers in the seven schools in the area are contacted by FÁS and invited to attend a guidance interview to discuss training and employment opportunities.