Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 747: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in identifying courses which were run by FÁS where results were deemed to have been manipulated; the number and location and cost of such courses and the companies or sub-contractors involved; the action that has been taken; if any such companies have been removed from the national register; if any of these companies have since been awarded new contracts for courses and the reasons for same; if any such companies have been refused further courses; the result of subsequent analysis by her Department and by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the results of each internal audit and if she will publish same; the amount of money recovered by FÁS from such contractors; if legal action is being taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31655/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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FÁS commenced a review of its contracted training in December 2009. The Review consists of three phases; the first two were carried by FÁS itself with phase 3 being completed by an outside consultant. Specifically: Phase 1 involved a special monitoring visit to each course. This was completed in February. Phase 2 entailed a detailed review of individual assessments and was completed in June 2010. Phase 3 encompassing an external ratification of the first two phases, is due to be completed within the next week.

On completion of phase 3 a final Report combining all 3 phases will be completed and a detailed analysis of the Report will be undertaken by FÁS and completed as quickly as possible. Any action required on foot of this review will be undertaken in an expeditious manner.