Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding FÁS courses offered to people in receipt of jobseekers payments and who are required to attend for interview with FÁS; the age profile of those embarking on such FÁS courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9490/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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FÁS, under the National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) preventative strategy, systematically engages with unemployed persons between the ages of 18 and 64 years who are referred by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to the Agency on reaching three months on the Live Register. Services offered include vocational guidance/counselling, information on job opportunities, assistance with CV preparation and interview techniques, access to employment programmes and skills training. Particular emphasis is placed on the identification of training needs and on the provision of tailored responses. All NEAP clients are accorded priority in accessing training provided by FÁS Training Services.

The table below sets out the age profile from January to November 2009 of those referred to and interviewed by FÁS under the NEAP. Statistics relating to the number placed into a FÁS training initiative and their age profile are being collated and will be passed to the Deputy as soon as they are available.