Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 86: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to stem the number of job losses in view of the further increase in the number of people on the live register published on 1 July 2009; her plans to provide new training opportunities for persons who have lost their jobs and to encourage the creation of new employment opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27422/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Despite the recent increase in the Live Register figures for June I would point out that in the twelve-month period to the end of May 2009, 144,000 people left the Live Register as they had secured employment. This is important as it shows that jobs are still being created.

In response to the rising numbers of unemployed the Government has already taken a number of actions, including doubling the capacity of the job search supports system provided by FÁS Employment Services and the partnership-based Local Employment Service to 147,000 places per year for referrals under the National Employment Action Plan.

In addition, my Department is now funding approximately 128,000 activation training and work experience places through FÁS. This is a substantial increase on the 66,000 places, which were available at the end of last year. This has been achieved by redeploying significant resources towards activating the unemployed.

Included in these places are specific new measures such as a work placement programme, which is providing 2,000 six-month places to individuals who are unemployed and includes the placement of graduates. A new training programme of 277 places at a cost of €1 million is being introduced. Under this programme 277 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. Also 2,500 places are being provided for those who are unemployed to participate in part-time third level education.

The Government is also assisting redundant apprentices complete their apprenticeships through a number of special measures which will result in over 3600 redundant apprentices being able to progress their training this year.

The Government recently presented proposals to the Social Partners which focussed on measures to prevent job losses including the possible introduction of a temporary employment subsidy scheme which aims to helps employees retain their jobs and employers their skilled workforce in these difficult times.

While activation measures will assist individuals in securing employment and enhancing their skills, the key to addressing our unemployment problem is the creation of more jobs. Enterprise Ireland has refocused its efforts on strengthening and sustaining companies of strategic importance through a range of initiatives focused on the needs of their client base which includes the management of the Enterprise Stabilisation Fund which provides €100 million to assist viable but vulnerable companies overcome the present economic difficulties.

The key to IDA Ireland's strategy is to progress the development of a knowledge based economy so that the county can compete both nationally and internationally for foreign direct investment. IDA has an active programme of engagement with its clients to identify and target new investment opportunities. The aim of this is to retain existing clients, improve the quality of employment opportunities in Ireland and increase the positive economic impact.