David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in accordance with his Department's sectoral plan, all the recommendations of the value for money evaluation have been enacted with an action plan and timeframes developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35893/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with a recommendation contained in the Study of Efficiency and Effectiveness of Vocational Training Services and Rehabilitative Training Services for People with Disabilities provided by Specialist Training Providers, agreement has been reached on the capitation fee payable to FÁS contracted Specialist Training Providers in respect of vocational training services for people with disabilities.

FÁS have established a working group to oversee the implementation of other recommendations emerging from the Study. The group is scheduled to review and report on progress by March, 2008.

The Working Group is made up of representatives of FÁS Community Services/Social Inclusion and Specialist Training Providers, and its Terms of Reference are as follows:

1.To oversee the implementation of the recommendations emerging from the Report.

2.To identify and design appropriate structures, systems and linkages to address each recommendation in the context of exploring best practice modern service delivery models.

3.To ensure active implementation of these structures, systems and/or linkages by appointing appropriate sub groups to initiate and monitor same.

4.To review and report progress by March 2008.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, as outlined in his Department's sectoral plan, specific budget training supports such as assistive technology and training supports have been made available by FÁS to people with disabilities; if all training materials and other publications are accessible to people with disabilities as per Section 28 of the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35894/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of assistive technology and training supports to people with disabilities is a requirement under the Employment Equality Act, 1998 and the Equality Act, 2004. This legislation requires that appropriate measures are available to enable a person with a disability to have access to employment, to participate in employment and/or to undertake training.

Within its remit for providing vocational training services for people with disabilities FÁS does everything possible to have in place any supports or assistive technology that a disabled learner may require. This could relate to training itself or in any examination or test that might be part of the certification process for his or her FÁS course in compliance with current legislation.

Assistive technology and training supports are currently funded out of FÁS regional training budgets. However, FÁS plan to establish a central dedicated budget for this in 2008 in accordance with a recommendation in the FÁS Vocational Training Strategy for People with Disabilities.

Accessible training materials are made available by FÁS on the basis of individual need. In regard to publications, the FÁS web site is currently WAI Triple A compliant for publications, and will be "Browse Aloud" compatible in early 2008. These facilities directly address the requirements of Section 28 of the Disability Act.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if targets have been set by his Department and by FÁS in relation to the participation of people with disabilities in work and training options; if so, the details of these targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35895/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2006 an annual national target is set in all FÁS regions in the first quarter of the year for all training and employment programmes in respect of a number of target groups, including people with disabilities. For 2007, there is a targeted increase of 1% over the 2006 figures regarding registration, completion and placement. Targets are monitored quarterly. In 2006, 7,385 persons in receipt of disability payments completed employment and training programmes.

The total numbers of persons in receipt of a state disability income who commenced on all FÁS training courses in 2006 was 983. Approximately 50% of these would have commenced training in Specialist Training Providers, such as National Learning Network (NLN), which are specifically for disabled people and are contracted, and monitored by FÁS.

The immediate objective under my Department's Sectoral Plan for People with Disabilities in the medium term is to raise the employment rate of that cohort who do not have a difficulty in holding a job towards the employment rate of their peers who do not have disabilities. The immediate objective over the period of this plan is to aim to have at least half, or 7, 000 of that cohort in employment. The Plan covers the period 2006- 2010 and will be reviewed in 2009.