Written answers

Thursday, 18 June 2009

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

FÁS Training Programmes

6:00 am

Photo of Deirdre CluneDeirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount spent on the FÁS science challenge programme since 2000 to date in 2009; the breakdown of the expenditure per year since 2000; when the decision was taken to cease the programme; the financial oversight she provided for the programme during its existence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24388/09]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The table sets out year-on-year expenditure on the FÁS Science Challenge Initiative from its launch in 2003 to the latest available figures as at the end of April 2009.

In December 2008, I commissioned an internal review of Science Challenge. The review was completed in April 2009. On the basis of its findings I directed that Science Challenge be closed down once all its existing commitments for the academic year 2008/9 have been met.

The Science Challenge Programme was subject to the same oversight as all other FÁS programmes and was included in the annual audit of the FÁS accounts. FÁS Science Challenge expenditure 2003-2009

YearAmount €000s
20031,173
20041,330
20051,915
20061,131
20071,319
2008 (unaudited)1,145
2009 (as at 30 April 2009)0,348

Photo of Deirdre CluneDeirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the advisory role Science Foundation Ireland has on science programmes operated by FÁS; the structures she has put in place to ensure co-ordination of the agencies under her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24389/09]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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To ensure co-ordination across the agencies of my Department, Forfás was established in 1994 and is the national policy advisory body for enterprise and science. One of its functions is to ensure the coherence of policies across the development agencies supporting enterprise. The membership of the board of Forfás includes the CEOs of the development agencies of my Department including the Director General of FÁS.

There are currently no science focussed programmes being delivered by FÁS other than the residual elements of FÁS Science Challenge which is currently being wound down in an orderly fashion.

Photo of Deirdre CluneDeirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the critical opinion expressed by the head of strategy at Science Foundation Ireland on the FÁS science challenge programme during the meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts on 11 June 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24390/09]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The opinion given at last week's Committee of Accounts Committee hearing by the Head of Strategy and Programme Implementation at Science Foundation Ireland reflects accurately one of the main conclusions contained in the internal review of the FÁS Science Challenge Initiative, commissioned by me in December 2008.

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