John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding available from the European Commission under the European Globalisation Fund in respect of former workers at a company (details supplied); the amount of Exchequer funding being provided; the way this will benefit the former employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19699/10]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 221: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the way in which the funding available under the European Globalisation Fund in respect of former workers at a company (details supplied) will be dispersed; the Departments and agencies that will be involved in allocating these funds; if a decision has been made on the amount of funding that will be allocated to each Department and agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19700/10]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 222: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the application process for person's applying for funding available under the European Globalisation Fund in respect of former workers at a company (details supplied); when a person may start applying; when the application period will close; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19701/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 222, inclusive together.

My Department submitted an application on 7th August 2009 to the European Commission for a total of €3.95m in funding in relation to over 650 workers made redundant since 30th January 2009 at Waterford Crystal and three ancillary companies. The funds, if approved, will go towards the cost of provision of a personalised package of occupational guidance, training, upskilling, education opportunities and enterprise supports for eligible workers. The maximum 65% contribution allowable (€2.57m) is being sought from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) with the remaining 35% (€1.38m) to be funded by the Government.

FÁS, Enterprise Ireland, Waterford City and County Enterprise Boards, Waterford City and County Vocational Committees and the Waterford Institute of Technology are already offering a range of relevant supports. If the EGF application is subsequently approved by all relevant EU budgetary authorities including the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, having been approved by the College of Commissioners on 6th May 2010, funding will be distributed through these State agencies for the further provision of eligible supports with my Department acting as the overall managing authority at national level.

FÁS is currently co-ordinating ongoing service provision in co-operation with other relevant State agencies and the Waterford Institute of Technology. A recent public procurement process sought tenders for the services coordination role upon full EU approval of the EGF application and a number of tenders are currently being evaluated in my Department. As such, queries on potential eligibility and on the current availability of services should be directed in the first instance to FÁS and the other relevant State agencies locally. This will allow both for the offering of available services and facilitate the subsequent rollout of services upon full EU approval. The eligibility period for an approved EGF application is 24 months from the submission of the application to the European Commission plus an additional three months in certain circumstances where measures had not previously commenced.