Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated number of apprentices by category who cannot progress with their training due to the non-availability of on the job experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44542/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to the answer I gave to Parliamentary Question Ref No 42096/09 of 16 November 2009 on this matter. In the interim, the number of redundant apprentices who currently require on-the-job training and assessments at Phases 3, 5 and 7 has reduced by 9, 5 and 29 respectively.

A detailed breakdown by Trade Category is set out in the Annex.

I have set out the measures being implemented to assist redundant apprentices on a number of previous occasions in the House, most recently in my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 40856 of 11th November 2009.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the efforts made to advise the public, especially enterprises and graduates, of the changes in details in the eligibility criteria of the work placement programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44338/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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To generate placements and to promote the Work Placement Programme, FÁS have promoted the Programme via their website, and through the national network of FÁS, Local Employment Services, and the Department of Social & Family Affairs offices.

FÁS have updated its website to provide details of the revised criteria for the Work Placement Programme. FÁS frontline staffs have been briefed on the changes to the eligibility criteria and are, in turn, informing the public of the changed criteria.

Promotional material, information packs, 'flyers', aimed at prospective candidates and providers are being finalised. FÁS have just completed a promotional campaign via regional newspapers and radio to promote the programme and to encourage people to refer to the FÁS website or to call the freephone 1800 number.

In addition FÁS have met with IBEC to brief them on the changes to the criteria and have provided IBEC with material to circulate to its members. A meeting has also taken place with the City and Council Managers' Association at which the Work Placement Programme and the expanded criteria were discussed and the future involvement of the local authorities in the programme was explored.

Previously all universities, libraries and chambers of commerce, alumni student bodies were contacted to inform them of the programme. An updated circular is being sent to these organisations to inform them of the revised eligibility criteria. A renewed publicity campaign for Work Placement Programme, targeting social networking sites e.g. Facebook, Bebo, Twitter; existing informational sites, e.g. Citizens Information, Inclusion Ireland, Politics.ie; media interviews etc., is being finalised at present.

FÁS is also in the process of writing to all employers that have already been approved to provide placements, to update them on the revised criteria. Those employers that applied and were not eligible under the old criteria are also being contacted to inform them of the new criteria.