Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether the remit of FÁS should be changed to reflect changed economic circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11357/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The organisation and direction of FÁS is subject to continuous assessment and review in the annual budgetary process and in FÁS's statement of strategy. The current remit of FÁS is set out in its recently published statement of strategy, Building on our Vision, which identifies the challenges and opportunities it will face between 2006 and 2009. The strategy was developed following a comprehensive consultation process with Departments, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, employer bodies, trade unions, non-statutory organisations and FÁS customers.

The 2006-09 strategy commits FÁS to upskilling the workforce, promoting social inclusion and equality, contributing to a national human resources and skills development strategy and providing quality programmes and services. While continuing to meet the needs of the unemployed and disadvantaged, the strategy puts increased emphasis on the training and upskilling of the workforce. Due to demographic factors, productivity growth must come from the existing workforce. The continuous upgrading of the knowledge, skills and competencies of people at work is essential in the context of a move to a knowledge based economy.

The strategy recognises there will be an ongoing need for future consultation to ensure the continued relevance of the programmes and services on offer and to ensure that FÁS actively contributes to this country's continued economic and social development.