Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 45: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the employment incentives available from her Department for young persons subsequent to their release from St. Patrick's Institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10956/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

FÁS Employment Services (ES) provides priority access to young persons subsequent to their release from detention. In this regard, FÁS works in close collaboration with the Probation Service, through an agreed Protocol between FÁS, the Probation Service, the Irish Prison Service and the Linkage Programme - a joint project between Business in the Community and the Probation and Welfare Service. The purpose of the Protocol is to provide a seamless referral process to FÁS for ex-offenders by the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service through the Linkage Programme, taking into consideration the development and training needs of the client group and thereby supporting their desistance efforts as well as safe-guarding the work of service provider staff.

Young persons, subsequent to their release from St. Patrick's Institution, may be eligible for programmes for early school leavers including Community Training Centres (CTCs) and Justice Workshops. Early school leavers, defined as young people aged 16-21 who left school with no or low qualifications and who face difficulties accessing the labour market, are a priority client group for FÁS. FÁS Community Services works in partnership with 39 Community Training Centres, in the provision of training and related services to early school leavers. Delivery of training and related services focuses on supporting the learner to achieve a major award on the national framework of qualifications as a route to sustainable employment.