Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the date on which the technical employment support grant was introduced; the number of such grants made in 2009 and to date in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32226/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Technical Employment support Grant (TESG) was introduced in 2006.

The TESG is used where a FÁS Employment Services Officer, during the course of a guidance interview, identifies that a particular category of jobseeker has a support need in order to enter/re-enter the labour market, and that this need cannot be met by FÁS directly or any other State provider within a reasonable period of time or location.

Where support is provided through the TESG, the programme should be accredited up to (and including) FETAC level 6 or equivalent awards on Ireland's National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). In addition, the Provider is to be a certified approved provider under the NFQ.

Should a training intervention be identified that is not within the NFQ, this may be approved by the local FÁS Employment Services Manager. Grants for programmes not on the NFQ will only be approved for other 'legitimately' certified or 'approved' programmes.

In 2009 in excess of 12,000 grants were approved and at the end of August 2010, 11,291 grants have been approved.