Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will ensure in any reorganisation of community employment schemes, FÁS training or unemployment benefit that front-line services are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34137/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach announced on 23 March 2010 that the Department of Social and Family Affairs would be reconfigured as the Department of Social Protection with the transfer to it of responsibility for: a) the employment and community services programmes of FÁS;

b) the Rural Social Scheme and Community Services Programme from the Department of Community, Equality and the Gaeltacht and

c) the Redundancy and Insolvency Schemes from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.

The purpose of this reorganisation of functions is to provide a more effective and streamlined service to the unemployed by integrating the income support provided through the social welfare system with supports for activation and re-entry to employment.

The Social Welfare Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2010 provided the legislative basis for transferring policy and financial responsibility for the employment and community services programmes of FÁS from the Minister for Education and Skills. It is intended to commence this part of the Act shortly. From date of commencement, FÁS will continue to provide these services but under the direction of my Department. Further legislation is under preparation to provide for the transfer of the relevant staff and related resources from FÁS to my Department as early as possible in 2011.

A major programme of change is currently being developed by my Department, in close consultation with senior management in FÁS and the Department of Education and Skills, with the objective of developing a new service vision and model for the integrated Department. The aim is to create a Department which is structured around the customer rather than the schemes it delivers so that people can obtain the services they require, and are entitled to, in a seamless, effective and efficient way.

I should add that the training services of FÁS will remain under the remit of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills.