Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 94: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the labour market activation fund will issue its calls for proposals; the length of time interested parties will have to express interest; if she is satisfied that notice of the call for proposals through the Government E-tenders website and the national press will be sufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11130/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A notice announcing the establishment of the Labour Market Activation Fund, 2010, was published by my Department on Friday 12th February 2010 in the national press. Details were also posted on the Government E-tenders website at www.e-tenders.gov.ie, and in the Official Journal of the European Union. Full information on tender requirements will be published at the time of the Call for Proposals and will be accessible electronically on http://www.etenders.gov.ie/, and through the Official Journal of the European Union. Notice of the Call for Proposals will also be published in the national press. I expect that this Call will be issued very shortly.

The Labour Market Activation Fund is intended to support the provision of substantial innovative training and education programmes over and above mainstream measures, targeting specific priority groups among the unemployed. The purpose of the press notice was to advise those who might be interested in providing these interventions that my Department will, in the near future, issue a Call for Proposals for such services from public, private, voluntary, and not-for-profit education and training providers. I am satisfied that the time period allowed for interested parties to tender proposals will be in line with public procurement procedures.