Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 116: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the restructuring of FÁS; when the board of FÁS is expected to present a new blueprint for the future direction of the agency to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33486/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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On 23 March, 2010, the Taoiseach announced to the Dáil a number of Ministerial and Departmental changes designed to ensure closer alignment of the Government's economic objectives to the administrative functions of its departments and agencies. As part of these changes the Employment Programmes and Services and Skills Training (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order of 2010, which came into force on 1 May 2010, reallocated responsibility for FÁS as an Agency and its funding related to training and skills from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to the Department of Education and Skills. Responsibility for the employment service and community service activities of FÁS and its related funding has also transferred to my Department. However, following the enactment of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 in late July, the Department of Social Protection will, following commencement of the relevant sections, assume overall responsibility for the policy and funding of FÁS employment programmes and employment services.

I understand that my colleague the Minister for Social Protection intends to bring forward more detailed legislative proposals at an early date to provide for the full integration of the FÁS employment programmes and employment services with his Department.

The Board of FÁS is currently working on its strategy for the FÁS organisation for the future and will present it to my Department shortly.