Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 78: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding employment activation measures. [35090/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The various activation measures announced in the Supplementary Budget include the provision of various training initiatives that are designed to provide portable and transferable skills in a range of areas that will increase participants' employability throughout all sectors of industry. The initiatives seek, where possible, to provide accredited training programmes that are recognized by the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). This pursuit is consistent with the long-term objective of the National Skills Strategy which has highlighted a need to upskill, by 2020, some 500,000 workers by at least one level on the NFQ.

A key element of the Government's labour market activation strategy is the maintaining people's closeness to the labour market. Keeping people as close to the labour market while they are unemployed will enable them to access employment opportunities more readily and ease their transition back into the labour market.

To respond to the numbers of unemployed I have increased the capacity of the job search services within FÁS from 6,500 to 12,250 persons per month. This brings the total number of places for referrals by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to 147,000 per year.

My Department has through the significant redeployment of resources substantially increased the number of activation training and work experience places it funds through FÁS to over 130,000. This is a considerable accomplishment given that it is almost double the 66,000 places, which were available at the end of last year.

The majority of the additional places provided are delivered under the FÁS Training Initiatives Strategy, which delivers occupation-specific skills training to unemployed people. These courses are delivered in a variety of methods including short courses, evening courses, on-line and blended learning courses. Since the start of 2009 the Government has quadrupled to 92,000 the number of places on training courses under the FÁS Training Initiatives Strategy.

A number of new training programmes for those who have lost their jobs in the construction sector have been introduced by FÁS. These new courses are aimed at helping those in construction to convert or upgrade their skills to take advantage of the new wave of green and clean-tech opportunities coming on-stream nationally. During 2009 FÁS expect to train 1,720 people through Gas, Renewable Energy and Sustainable Energy courses this year more then double 2008 and expects this trend to continue into 2010. Other courses in development are Passive Houses (A rated buildings), Wind Turbine Installation. FÁS is also planning on expanding the range of courses in this area next year to include design courses, passive houses, mechanical and civil works (micro-generation), management in a sustainable environment and a large (>50kW) wind turbine suite of courses.

Several new activation measures have also been launched. These include a Work Placement Programme for those who are unemployed, including graduates. Specific training programmes for those on short time work and a programme to enable the unemployed participate in third level courses on a part time basis.

The Government recently announced the Employment Subsidy Scheme (Temporary), which aims to help employees retain their jobs and employers their skilled workforce in these uncertain times. The scheme will support up to 27,400 jobs. The scheme will apply to vulnerable but viable companies in the manufacturing or internationally traded service sectors that are currently engaged in exporting

FÁS also continues to deliver an extensive range of training through its network of Training Centres and contracted training providers to its clients who comprise jobseekers, job changers, redundant persons, school leavers and disadvantaged persons with an emphasis on training for the unemployed. It also provides a range of services in co-operation with different community groups that focus on the integration/re-integration into the labour market of long-term unemployed and other marginalised people.