Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 98: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons who were assisted under the technical employment support grant since its inception; the number of persons assisted under the technical employment support grant since 1 January 2009; if she will increase the budget for the technical employment support grant in view of the fact that retraining for redundant craft workers is more important than ever to stop the flow of persons into long-term unemployment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40767/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Technical Employment Service Grant (TESG) provides FÁS Employment Service Officers (ESOs) with a flexible fund to provide a tailored response to meet the needs of specific client groups. This support is provided as part of the jobseeker's Action Plan, which is agreed between FÁS and the client as a means of entering/re-entering the labour market. This funding is available to those who are experiencing major barriers to progression from unemployment to the workforce and where this need cannot be met by FÁS directly or by any other state provider within a reasonable timeframe or at a location convenient to the jobseeker.

The following client groups are eligible at present for support under Technical Employment Support Grant (TESG):

Jobseekers who are considered to be distant from the labour market e.g.

Homeless people;

Ex-prisoners;

Members of the Traveller Community;

People made redundant with low skills;

Ex-Job Initiatives participants or current participants who wish to explore alternative training/employment options;

Employment Action Plan (EAP) jobseekers;

People with a Disability.

Redundant craft workers who are referred to FAS under the NEAP are also eligible for TESG.

TESG is an important fund which helps support a fast and flexible response to the job-seeking needs of unemployed clients. It is being reviewed at present to ensure that it remains targeted and focused on those who will most benefit.

Since its inception, approximately 19,000 clients have benefited, of whom over 8,600 have benefited from 1 January 2009 to 30 September 2009. The budget has increased significantly from almost €3 million in 2008 to €6.475 million in 2009.