Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of job facilitators; the average waiting times to access support from a job facilitator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8937/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Facilitators work closely with FÁS and other agencies at national and local level, to identify appropriate training and developmental programmes for social welfare recipients of working age to enhance the skills those individuals have and ultimately improve their employment chances as well as help them to develop personally.

The facilitator service is available to social welfare recipients at all local offices. Facilitators hold open clinics and meet with people who have been referred either by the social welfare local office or by other agencies. Arrangements to see the facilitator can be made by contacting the social welfare local office or the facilitator directly. In addition, cases are selected and referred to facilitators by employment support section.

The service was enhanced under the National Development Plan (NDP) Social and Economic Participation Programme. There are currently 59 facilitators in place, with a further eleven to be appointed, bringing the total in place to 70.

In the current economic climate the demand for the facilitator service is elevated. Waiting times to see a facilitator may vary nationwide. Actual waiting times for individual facilitators are not available. Facilitators make every effort to contact all interested customers as quickly as possible.