Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether the work placement programme and the pilot short time working training programme are adequate in responding to the number of unemployed people seeking work experience and training; her plans to extend eligibility to these schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23443/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the rising numbers of unemployed, the Government has formulated and implemented a realistic and practical strategy to prioritise the activation and training of such individuals. My Department, along with the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Department of Education and Science, have been working closely together to ensure a significant response to the unemployment situation. The Work Placement Programme and the Short Time Working Training Programme, which were announced in the Supplementary Budget, are but two initiatives that have been created to contribute to the challenge of activating and training the unemployed. It should be noted that these Programmes form only an element of the Government's response to the unemployment challenge, which also includes a substantial increase in job search, training and education supports.

The Work Placement Programme has been created 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.

Finally, it is my intention to review the effectiveness and impact of the Programmes upon the satisfactory completion of their roll-out. It will be in this context that any potential changes, such as changes to the eligibility and scale of these Programmes will be considered.