Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the future of FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7194/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Given the current employment and training challenges facing this country, my intention is that FÁS concentrate on its core mission of providing high quality training and employment services relevant to the needs of the labour market. Specifically, this means addressing the situation affecting redundant apprentices, training for the unemployed, providing supports to people with disabilities, the up-skilling of our workforce and the continued operation of Community Employment Schemes as a means to provide participants with a route into employment.

My Department is also in the process of conducting a review of all labour market programmes provided by both FÁS and Skillnets. The aim of the review is 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 Public Accounts Committee published its report on FÁS last week and the recommendations made, together with the outcome of the investigation currently being carried out by the Comptroller and Auditor General, will also be taken into account going forward.