Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of people currently participating on the graduate placement and short term work schemes which were announced in the supplementary budget of 7 April 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27566/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Work Placement Programme is being created in order to provide 2,000 six-month work experience places for graduates and other individuals. The aim of this scheme is to provide invaluable work experience to individuals who are unemployed, who have recently graduated from college or have very limited experience of the workplace.

To date the number of individuals who have expressed an interest with FÁS in the Programme and who meet the eligible criteria stands at 192. In terms of places, FÁS have received 180 enquiries to date from potential providers, which has resulted in 155 actual places being offered by providers. Considering that FÁS are in the process of finalising their targeted publicity campaign of the Programme, it is encouraging that they are experiencing a considerable level of interest from individuals and providers in the Programme.

The Short Time Training Programme will provide training and income support to 277 workers currently on systematic short time working. Under this Programme workers who are on a three-day week and receiving social welfare payments for the days they are not working will receive 2 days training a week for a period of 52 weeks.

FÁS are in the process of allocating the places on this Programme across a number of Regions using either their Local Employment Services office or their Local Services to Business Unit. To date approximately 120 places have been allocated across two FÁS Regions. FÁS are continuing to explore a number of other possible enquiries from other FÁS Regions in relation to the allocation of the remaining places. It is intended that these places will be allocated in the coming weeks.