Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in view of recent disclosures regarding expenditure at FÁS, she has plans to issue a direction under section 17 of the Labour Services Act 1987 to refrain FÁS from carrying out expenditure or to reduce by specified amounts its expenditure on specified services or activities. [44899/08]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 111: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she last gave a direction under section 17 of the Labour Services Act 1987 to refrain from carrying out expenditure or to reduce by specified amounts its expenditure on specified services or activities. [44898/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.

It is the practice for the Minister to request FÁS to adjust its spending on specified services or activities in line with Government labour market policy and available resources. This is normally done in the context of the annual Estimates process. Earlier this year, FÁS was directed to reduce spending in a number of areas including payroll, consultancies, advertising and public relations. If necessary, the Minister may invoke section 17(1)(a)(iv) of the Labour Services Act 1987, which provides that the Minister may give a direction in writing to FÁS requiring it to refrain from incurring expenditure, or reduce by specified amounts its expenditure, on specified services or specified activities. It has not been the practice, nor has it proved necessary, to formally invoke section 17 of the 1987 Act.