Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the additional support that has been given to job facilitators to deal with the increased demand for access to support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21646/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's facilitators work with social welfare recipients of working age, including people in receipt of jobseekers payments, people parenting alone, people in receipt of disability welfare payments and people providing care, to promote participation and social inclusion. Facilitators help people to identify appropriate training or development programmes which will enhance the skills that the individual has and ultimately improve their employment chances, as well as help them to continue to develop personally. Facilitators develop individual progression plans with the customer. They are located throughout the country and are assigned to cover defined geographical areas. They work closely with FÁS and other agencies at a local level to identify and target appropriate education, training and development opportunities.

In the current economic climate the demand for the facilitator service is elevated. Facilitators make every effort to contact customers as quickly as possible. The facilitator service was enhanced under the National Development Plan (NDP) Social and Economic Participation Programme. Twenty four additional facilitators have been appointed since September, 2008. There are 62.5 currently serving (full time equivalent 61 posts). It is intended to increase the number to 70 posts. Clerical support for facilitators is provided centrally by Employment Support Services section. The number of facilitators in place, their workload, and the effectiveness of the service will continue to be monitored.