Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 76: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the circular, which was promised by the Department of Finance in December 2009, will be furnished regarding the work placement scheme programme; the reason same has been delayed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2846/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience to 2,000 unemployed individuals, including graduates. In principle, the Programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. The aim of the Programme is to assist unemployed people, including graduates, to establish or maintain links to the labour market. This should better position unemployed people to avail of new job opportunities when they arise.

It is understood that the Department of Finance intends to issue guidance, in the near future, to Central Government Departments and Offices on how their participation in the Programme might best be managed.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of public sector bodies which have applied for and been approved for the FÁS work placement scheme in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2861/10]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 78: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of private sector employers who have applied for and been approved for the FÁS work placement scheme in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2862/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 78 together.

The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience to 2,000 unemployed individuals, including graduates. The Programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. The aim of the Programme is to assist unemployed people, including graduates, to establish or maintain links to the labour market. This should better position unemployed people to avail of new job opportunities when they arise.

In 2009 64 Public Sector bodies applied and were approved for the FÁS Work Placement Scheme in 2009.

In 2009 559 Private Sector employers applied and were approved for the FÁS Work Placement Scheme in 2009. There is a need to encourage more enterprises to participate in the programme and FÁS are continuing to promote the programme with employers' representative bodies such as IBEC and ISME.