Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of unemployed persons interviewed by FÁS under the national employment action plan in 2009 who were invited back for repeat interviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2407/10]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of unemployed persons interviewed by FÁS under the national employment action plan in 2009 who are still classified as unemployed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2408/10]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons who failed to attend their national employment action plan interviews by FÁS in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2409/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 to 143, inclusive, together.

The Irish National Employment Action Plan (NEAP), adopted by the Government as its response to the European Employment Guidelines, included a commitment to a more systematic engagement of the Employment Services with the unemployed. Implementation of this commitment commenced in September, 1998.

In 2009, FÁS increased its capacity to 147,000 by re-deploying staff to Employment Services and engaging Local Employment Service in direct NEAP Referral.

The total number of clients interviewed up to end November 2009 was 65,000. Of these, 23,578 had not left the live register as at end November 2009. Data on outcomes for all persons referred in 2009 to end-December will be collected at end-January 2010. The number that failed to attend for interview was 21,600.

An analysis of clients who had their initial interview in May 2009 indicates that approximately 17% of clients are called back for one or more subsequent interviews with their case officer, and 14% actually attend at least one such interview.

Many clients are referred to other programme opportunities at their first NEAP interview; while others are identified as job ready and not in need of additional training or other intensive assistance that would require follow-up interview.