Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she is satisfied that adequate training and re-training places are available to FÁS and similar bodies in the current economic climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45305/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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FÁS and Skillnets are tailoring their provision to respond to the present economic environment. FÁS is responsible for providing training to people seeking employment and to people already in employment. FÁS training provision can be divided into three main areas: training under FÁS Community Services Division, training provided by FÁS Training Services and training to people in employment provided under the Competency Development Programme.

FÁS Community Services Division provides training to enhance the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons. It currently provides training to approximately 30,000 participants across seven major programmes. These include the Community Employment scheme, which currently has 22,128 participants, training provided by Community Training Centres, which have a national capacity of 2,300 places and currently are providing training to in excess of 1,800 people; training delivered under the Local Training Initiative, which provides community based training and work experience to people who are distant from the labour market and under which, FÁS expect to train approximately 2,800 people this year.

FÁS have informed me that it is budgeting to maintain the same numbers of participants/trainees on its Community Services programmes in 2009 as was budgeted in 2008. Last month the FÁS Board approved two initiatives to enable FÁS Training Services to increase their provision of training so as to meet the increasing demand for their services particularly from those who are now unemployed. Currently, FÁS caters for approximately 8,000 participants through its night classes programme. As a result of last month's Board decision FÁS will provide an additional 16,000 night class places next year and these will be available free of charge to people who are unemployed. These courses will be certified and will enable individuals to quickly upskill, enhance their employability and allow them to re-enter the labour market in another sector.

The FÁS Board also approved an initiative aimed at delivering 6,000 places specifically aimed at short courses next year. These courses, which will be certified are aimed at individuals who have become unemployed and do not wish to avail of the traditional full length FÁS programme. In addition, FÁS Training Services will expand its range and capacity of On-Line and Blended Learning by 8,000 places during 2009 to meet increasing demand.

Last year under the FÁS Competency Development Programme approximately 45,000 people in employment received training. It is expected that a similar number will have received training by the end of this year.

Under the Skillnets Training Network Programme 2009 it is estimated that in excess of 24,000 people in employment will receive training or upskilling across some 117 training networks nationally. This is estimated to result in circa 130,000 training days. The National Training Fund is providing €24.8m under the programme in 2009. An element of this budget has been set aside to address particular training needs in the financial services sector.

As the Skillnets model is enterprise-led and market driven it can react swiftly to changing enterprise needs and prevailing economic circumstances. Skillnets objective is to enhance the skills and employability of more vulnerable members in the workforce with an emphasis on the low skilled. Individual skillnets networks determine the type, form and content of training and development programmes in line with the requirements of the particular sector or region and in response to changing market conditions. This affords the skillnets maximum flexibility in tailoring training to meet particular needs. In this context all skillnets, many of whom comprise small to medium enterprises, are currently fine-tuning their training programmes to meet the prevailing national and global economic circumstances anticipated next year.