Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the new programmes or approaches to training and employment for people with mental health problems that have been adopted or are definitively planned bearing in mind the high level of unemployment among people with mental health problems and the recommendations of the National Mental Health Policy Framework A Vision for Change. [27048/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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FÁS offers a comprehensive menu of vocational training and employment supports for people with disabilities, consistent with current mainstreaming policy. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply for training and the appropriate supports are put in place to meet their particular individual needs. If people with disabilities cannot meet the requirements of mainline vocational training, with training supports, then the individual is referred to Specialist Training Provision contracted by FÁS. This is done on the basis of an occupational guidance interview with a FÁS Employment Services Officer as Employment Services are the "Gateway" for all FÁS services.

As of 1st November 2007, all clients with a disability presenting to FÁS will be registered with Employment Services. This will enable FÁS to track and support clients with a disability in a more systematic way with the objective of providing better labour market outcomes. Accordingly they will deal with a named Employment Support Officer/Local Employment Service mediator in all their contacts with FÁS. Their applications are considered priority for FÁS training courses, access to additional supports under the High Support Process and under FÁS's Technical Employment Support Grants.

A working group has been established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Indecon Report. It relates specifically to services contracted out to specialist training providers by FÁS. The focus of this working group is on achieving greater efficiencies and value for money in relation to the significant levels of public funding being allocated to such training providers each year.

The recommendations in the recently published "Framework for the Training and Employment of People with Mental Health Difficulties", published by the Mental Health Forum, are being considered for implementation. In this regard FÁS will be giving particular attention to:

The introduction of new supports, or the adaptation of existing ones, with a view to further improving training options available to people with disabilities.

Introducing bridging programmes to assist the transition between rehabilitative and open vocational training and

Enhancing the prospects for the placement of people with disabilities in the open labour market.