Written answers

Thursday, 20 November 2008

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

FÁS Training Programmes

5:00 pm

Photo of Arthur MorganArthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if additional FÁS training places are to be made available in the wake of her decision to cut jobseekers benefit from 15 to 12 months. [39486/08]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Matters relating to the payment of Jobseekers Benefit are the responsibility of the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

In response to the current labour market climate FÁS has devised a number of measures that are designed to increase the availability of training courses for those who are seeking employment.

FÁS has developed a Short Course Programme, which is targeted at the needs of those who have just become unemployed. The course is designed to enable this group to re-enter the labour market in another sector or job role. Successful completion of the training leads to certification at a minor level, which through further training can be developed into a major award. It is hoped that this initiative will provide up to 6000 places during 2009.

FÁS has also established a training fund to enable it to provide a timely response to identified training/re-training needs for low skilled and redundant craft workers from the construction sector. It is intended that this will enable individuals to secure a speedy return to work, or where this cannot be secured, to provide relevant up-skilling opportunities in order that those affected can secure employment in alternative sectors. FÁS is also focusing on providing retraining opportunities for redundant construction workers in emerging areas such as the installation of energy efficient and renewable technologies, environmental activity, and compliance and regulatory work.

For those who are on the live register and/or in receipt of a Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA) payment, FÁS will be providing evening classes without payment of a fee. This intervention is to provide up to 16,000 additional places in 2009 aimed at meeting the needs of those who were recently active in the workforce and who now find themselves unemployed. It will give them an opportunity to add to their skills set, build on their existing level of employability and allow them to re-enter the labour market in another sector or job role. The courses will be certified at a minor level and will also, through further training, be convertible to a higher award status, which will provide further opportunities in the context of lifelong learning.

As well as the initiatives just outlined, FÁS also plans to expand its range and capacity of On-Line and Blended Learning (On-Line with workshops) in 2009 by 8,000 places.

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