Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the engagement FÁS had with people referred by the Department of Social and Family Affairs in 2007 and to date in 2008; the number referred; the number interviewed only; the number referred to training courses; the number who found employment or were placed in employment as a direct result of being referred to FÁS; the number who engaged FÁS and remain on social welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34457/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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FÁS provides a fully integrated nationwide range of services and supports for Jobseekers and Job Changers, details of which are set out below.

Jobseekers can register at one of the 71 local FÁS offices or 26 Local Employment Services Office nationwide for on-site information, guidance, referral and placement services.

FÁS Jobs Ireland (employment service free phone call centre) — provides expert guidance and resources, with access to job vacancies, online CV profiling for employers from all over Europe and a CV-to-job matching service. Training courses for jobseekers are also listed on the FÁS Jobs Ireland website.

The Jobseeker Directory provides aids such as A-Z of Careers, Creating a CV Online and Interview Tips along with information on Work Permits and Employment Rights.

The EURES job mobility database provides access to job vacancies in 29 countries, as well as, practical information such as necessary documentation. In addition FÁS provides a range of social inclusion programmes targeted at specific groups.

FÁS Employment Service is currently integrating the network of Job Clubs which are located around the country into its service. The aim of this integration is to support "job ready" clients through the provision of a 'drop in' service and formal inputs, to identify job opportunities, complete application forms, letters of application and prepare for interviews.

Unemployed people and job changers can and do engage with FÁS Employment Services without any formal appointment to seek information, advice and to source job vacancies, training programmes and other available FÁS supports.

Formal intervention with people who are unemployed for 3 months takes place through the Employment Action Plan (EAP). The Department of Social and Family Affairs makes arrangements for unemployed people to be referred to FÁS Employment Services which acts as the "Gateway" to all FÁS programmes, services and supports.

An independent evaluation of the EAP process in 2005 by Indecon Consultants, concluded that the process was an overall success in promoting earlier exit from unemployment than would otherwise have occurred. The consultants estimated that this was resulting in annual Exchequer savings of €34m (at 2004 prices) when all of the costs and benefits of the process were taken into account.

The following tables contain an analysis of the EAP referrals for 2007 and for the period January-July 2008. The results achieved highlight the effectiveness of both the EAP process and the role of FÁS in same.

All Employment Action Plans for the years 1999 to date are available on the Department website: ww.entemp.ie/lfd/month/htm.