Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 204: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views of the findings of the Forfás review of Labour Market Programmes which found that 41% of those on the local training initiative run by FÁS were under 25 years of age and that only 56% were in receipt of social welfare prior to commencing training despite the fact that the programme was established to focus on responding to the training needs of socially excluded marginalised clients, primarily those aged between 16 and 25 years; the measures that she will take to refocus this programme on disadvantaged young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25219/10]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 295: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on the findings of the Forfás review of Labour Market Programmes, in particular the findings which indicated that some of the programmes were not sufficiently focused on training persons on the live register; the actions she plans to take and by when in response to the recommendations to the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25218/10]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 296: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on the findings of the Forfás review of Labour Market Programmes which found that the bridging foundation programme run by FÁS is not aligned to the target cohort, that there is relatively low progression and certification awards were low; the action she will take to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25220/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 204, 295 and 296 together.

The Review of Labour Market Programmes, carried out by FORFÁS on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and published in February this year, made several recommendations aimed at ensuring that labour market programmes run by FÁS and Skillnets will better deliver on labour market objectives. The programmes examined by FORFÁS were developed at various times to respond to identified needs for training or skills in the labour market. As such they are subject to ongoing review and modification. Where applicable the recommendations are being taken on board by both organisations in formulating their strategy and provision of programmes, within the context of their own specific remits.

The Government has also made several decisions, which have had a direct impact on the programmes being provided to the unemployed. In Budget 2010, the Government announced that FÁS training allowances would be aligned to a person's entitlement to supports for jobseekers and Department of Social and Family Affairs rules.

In addition, in order to minimise the drift into very long-term unemployment and in response to concerns that certain individuals who, without special attention, are likely to be most at risk of becoming distant from the labour market, the Government decided to prioritise four cohorts of the unemployed for support. These are as follows:

People with low skills or education levels,

People who are on the Live Register for over one year;

People who are under 35 years of age,

People who were previously employed in sectors that have been most affected by restructuring and where recovery to near previous levels is not in prospect in the short to medium term (mainly construction, manufacturing and wholesale/retail trade).

As a result of this decision, my Department instructed FÁS that at least 80% of its training and work experience places for the unemployed must be offered to an individual from one of the priority cohorts. As of the end of June 2010, over 90% of FÁS trainees come from the priority cohorts and the overall target is being exceed for each individual programme. This decision has resulted in FÁS placing an enhanced focus on delivering training to those on the Live Register to improve their chances of securing employment. In addition FÁS training provision continues to be updated so that it meets employers skills requirements at a local and a national level.

In 2010 Skillnets has been providing for the inclusion in its training networks programme (TNP) of limited numbers of unemployed persons with the emphasis, where possible, on the priority cohorts on the live register. To date, the numbers of unemployed persons participating under the TNP have been limited to ensure the focus on enterprise-led training is maintained to the benefit of both employed and unemployed participants.