Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 82: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will carry out an independent review of the training and education programmes operating under the FÁS organisation. [44922/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department commenced a review of labour market programmes delivered by FÁS and Skillnets a number of months ago. The objective of this review is to examine these labour market programmes in terms of efficiency and effectiveness and to draw conclusions about the adequacy and balance of resources in the context of current and future labour market policy challenges, including the National Skills Strategy.

The scope of the review will include:

FÁS National Employment Service including FÁS Employment Services and Local Employment Services and the interaction with the Department of Social and Family Affairs;

Training for those in Employment including FÁS One Step Up and Skillnets programmes;

Training for the Unemployed including Local Training Initiative Programmes;

Employment Programmes including Community Employment and Job Initiative.

The Steering Group conducting the review is chaired by a senior official from my Department and includes members from the Departments of Finance, Social & Family Affairs and Education and Science. FÁS and Skillnets are also represented on the Group and it is supported by Forfás. The review is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.