Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 192: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the FÁS funds administered locally by training centres; the monitoring procedures in place for the control of such funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34130/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand from FÁS that funds administered by Training Centres are accounted for under the heading Direct costs and are controlled by the local Training Centre.

Direct costs are costs directly associated with the running of individual training courses in each Training Centre and all costs can be attributed to the individual training course.

A large proportion of the costs of training for each course are paid out in respect of allowances to the trainees. This is administered through a trainee and payroll system. This is a computerised system that pays trainees directly into their bank account via electronic fund transfer.

When a trainee is registering with FÁS they must provide an approved F103 form from Social Welfare which indicates the allowance they are entitled to. In addition to the F103, FÁS seeks the trainee bank account details to ensure payment is made via electronic fund transfer. Full supporting documentation is on file and held in the local Training Centre to support any allowances paid.

Other costs, for example materials, are purchased locally by each Training Centre in line with FÁS procurement procedures and documentation is kept on file to support these transactions.

All payments made by Training Centres are periodically audited by the FÁS Internal Audit department. The Training Centres may also be audited by the Controller and Auditor General as required and also by European Union auditors.

The FÁS Finance & Administration units in each FÁS Region also monitor and review payments issued by Training Centres.

All staff costs are controlled and paid centrally from FÁS Head Office.

A detailed budget for each Training Centre is allocated at the beginning of each year.

Monthly management accounts for each Training Centre are produced showing budget performance and budget variances.

These Training Centre management accounts are consolidated into both regional and national accounts that are reviewed monthly by FÁS management.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 193: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if all FÁS suppliers have been required to undergo a tender process at all times; the normal period for which supply contracts are granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34131/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that FÁS has developed a procurement manual that is in accordance with the EU Procurement Directives and the Irish Government Contract Regulations. The manual was approved by the Board of FÁS in April 2005. It is the policy of FÁS to tender for goods and services in accordance with current financial authority levels as set out in these procurement procedures. The calculation of the estimated value of the goods or services is based on the amount payable by FÁS.

For goods/services with an estimated value below €50,000 a restricted procedure is used and up to five qualified suppliers are invited to quote/tender. Where the value is greater than €50,000, it is the policy of FÁS to publish an expression of interest on the government E-Tenders website. Where the goods are over current EU thresholds the competition is automatically advertised on the Official Journal of the European Community website through the E-Tenders website. The duration of the order depends upon the nature of the goods/service provided. Duration can range from weeks/months (once off deliveries) to four years (Supply contracts such as catering/cleaning contracts).

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 194: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount spent on the maintenance of each FÁS training centre and the amount paid to authorised and approved contractors in each year since 2000 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34132/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. All contractors involved in the maintenance of FÁS training centres are authorised and approved.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 195: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount spent on payments to sponsored and unsponsored trainees nationally and in each FÁS training centre in each year since 2000 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34133/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will, as far as practicable, be provided in the near future.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 196: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funds spent on training materials nationally and in each FÁS centre in each year since 2000 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34134/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will, as far as practicable, be provided in the near future.

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 197: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the budget provided for sponsored and unsponsored training nationally and in each FÁS centre in each year since 2000 to date in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34135/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The budget provided for training provided nationally in FÁS centres is set out in the following table. The other information requested by Deputy will, as far as practicable, be provided at a later date.