Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 211: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the service which is provided by the FÁS services to a business department at Rossa Avenue, Cork in regard to support, funding and assistance to individuals, groups and companies seeking training and certification in the cleaning industry in the Cork region; the budget allocation and number trained in 2008 and to date in 2009; if this service will be provided in 2010; the minimum standard which is set for personnel working in the cleaning industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33845/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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FÁS South West Region provided training to 267 persons employed in the cleaning industry in 2008 at a total cost of €195,160 under the Competency Development Programme. This training was provided in three different courses as outlined below: Food Premises Cleaning Certificate Stage 1: 31 people. Cleaning Operatives Proficiency Certificate Stage 1: 213 people. Cleaning Operatives Proficiency Certificate Stage 2: 23 people.

All of these courses were 100% funded by FÁS.

To be eligible to participate in any of the above programmes, participants were required to have 2 years experience working in the cleaning industry. The courses were certified by the British Institute of Cleaning Science.

The Cleaning Operators Proficiency Certificate Scheme is intended to set an objective standard of competence assessment for operators in the cleaning industry. The certificate is recognised as best practice throughout the cleaning industry in Europe. No such training was provided in 2009.