Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the percentage of the number of people referred to FÁS in 2008 and to date 2009; the percentage who attended for interview; the percentage who were placed in FÁS employment, training or education; the percentage who were interviewed and for whom no further action was taken; the follow-up or intervention taken on those who do not avail of FÁS services; if there is an obligation on referrals to take up education or training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23206/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The National Employment Action Plan, operated jointly with FÁS, is the main activation measure for jobseekers. It has been in operation since 1998 and has proven successful in that period in assisting people on the live register back into employment. It provides for a systematic engagement of the employment services with unemployed people. In the period January to end of December 2008:

• a total of 60,260 persons were referred to FÁS

• 40,933 (68%) of the total referred were interviewed by FÁS

• 7,846 (13%) of the total referred were placed in jobs, training or education

• 21,089(35%) of the total referred were interviewed but not placed in jobs, training or education.

In the period January to end of March, 2009 (the latest date for which figures are available):

• a total of 16,739 persons were referred to FÁS

• 12,582 (75%) were interviewed by FÁS

• 1074 (7% of the total referred) were placed in jobs, training or education.

• 9,514 ( 76%) were interviewed were not placed in jobs/training/education (57% of the total referred )

By the end of January, 2009 33,919 ( 56%) of the total referred in 2008 had left the Live Register. By the end of April, 2009 4,961 (30%) of the total referred in the period January to March 2009 had left the Live Register. These figures reflect both the effectiveness of the NEAP and current trends in the labour market.

People remain on the live register while engaged with FÁS under the NEAP until they take up offers of employment or training. If they do not attend for interview with FÁS, or having engaged with FÁS decline offers of employment or training, their cases are referred back to the social welfare local office for review to determine if they continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt of jobseekers payments. There is a statutory obligation on recipients of Jobseekers payments to be available for and genuinely seeking full time employment.

People, who, for valid reasons, are unable to avail of the opportunities for placement in employment, training or education provided by FÁS, continue to receive payment. In such cases, the Department's facilitator service is available to assist them in identifying barriers to participation and exploring alternative progression routes. I consider that National Employment Action Plan plays an important role in assisting unemployed persons enter or return to the labour force.