Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 42: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on allocating extra resources for training and re-training opportunities for those in employment but placed on short weeks or short time in order to preserve jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19468/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In the Supplementary Budget of 7 April last I announced a number of specific activation measures including a pilot scheme for short-term workers, which will provide training and income support to 277 workers considered to be in vulnerable employment. This will represent a significant new approach to supporting people in vulnerable employment. Under this training programme workers who are on short time working and signing on the Live Register for the days they are not working will receive 2 days training on those days with a view to enhancing their skill levels and employability.

Discussions are ongoing between my Department and other relevant Departments and it is expected that these discussions will be finalised in the near future when further details will be available concerning this scheme.

To further assist individuals through the provision of education and training opportunities in February 2009 I announced the availability of 51,000 new training places under the FÁS Training Initiatives Strategy. These places are in addition to the 27,000 previously planned for 2009 under the Bridging Foundation Training, Specific Skills Training and Traineeships Programmes. A further 13,848 places announced in the Supplementary Budget brings the total number of short course training places available to 92,000. Combined with the other available education and training interventions provided by FÁS this brings the total available places for the unemployed to 128,000 this year.

The 92,000 training places on short courses are available to the unemployed and people on short-time work and will be delivered through three core-training initiatives, Short Courses, Night Courses and Online Courses. The courses are for people who wish to add to their existing skills level and provide an excellent option for those who need a FÁSt flexible intervention and who prefer a self directed e-learning and blended learning environment.