Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 352: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 25 March 2010 and the subsequent reply from FÁS (details supplied) which restates the existing position, her views on changing the existing practice whereby trainers are paid only at the end of the contract period and are consequently precluded from unemployment benefit or assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18776/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My colleague the Minister for Labour Affairs and for Public Service Transformation set out in his reply to the Deputy on 25th March 2010 that the matter in question is a day-to-day staffing one for FÁS as provided for in the Labour Services Act, 1987. I understand that FÁS, at the request of the said Minister, has since written directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 353: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork who was offered a place on a FÁS course at a time when the offer of a place automatically meant entitlement to a training allowance now finds that having voluntarily given up their previous employment to pursue this course that the regulations have changed and FÁS will no longer pay them a training allowance; if in the circumstances he will arrange for payment of the allowance in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18912/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The individual case referred to by the Deputy is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as provided for under the Labour Services Act, 1987.

Following the December 2009 Budget the payment of FÁS training allowances is now aligned to a person's entitlement to supports for jobseekers and Department of Social Protection rules. Consequently, where a trainee is entitled to a welfare payment at the commencement of his or her training course he/she will receive a FÁS training allowance for the duration of the course. If a trainee is not entitled to a welfare payment at the commencement of the training course then he or she will not receive a training allowance.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 354: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills 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. [18985/10]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 355: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills 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. [18986/10]

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 356: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants who have been placed and commenced work under the FÁS work placement programme; the location of these placements on a county basis; the FÁS areas at which work placements need to be filled in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18987/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 to 356, inclusive, together.

The Work Placement Programme provides up to 9 months work experience for up to 2,000 unemployed individuals, including graduates. 153 Public Sector bodies applied and were approved for the Work Placement Scheme in 2009. 752 Private Sector employers applied and were approved for the Work Placement Scheme in 2009.

As at 7th May 2010 there have been 919 placements on the Work Placement Programme. There are currently 1,589 vacancies for places under the programme.

I have outlined in the tables below the location of these placements by county and the FÁS areas at which work placements need to be filled.

The location of these placements by county;

The FÁS areas at which work placements need to be filled;

FÁS are continuing to promote the programme including with employers representative bodies.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 357: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons in receipt of each of the FÁS participation allowances. [19315/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am investigating the feasibility of providing this information and will reply to the Deputy substantively in the matter as soon as possible.