Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 175: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on the circular issued to FÁS in January 2010 which restricted the eligibility for FÁS training allowances only to persons who have been in receipt of jobseeker's allowance or jobseeker's benefit immediately prior to entering FÁS training courses; the consequences this will have for workers from other European Union countries working here; the way a person who has been reliant on supplementary welfare allowance will be able to avail of FÁS courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37638/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The December 2009 Budget aligned the payment of FÁS training allowances to a person's entitlement to welfare supports. Consequently, where a trainee is entitled to a welfare payment at the commencement of their training course a training allowance is payable. If a trainee is not entitled to welfare supports at the time of the commencement of their training course they will not receive a training allowance. This budgetary measure was necessary in order to provide for an increase in the number of training and employment places. However, I would emphasise that it in no way impacts on a person's opportunity to access training supports from FÁS which remain available to all unemployed persons regardless of whether they are in receipt of social welfare payments.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

At end September 2010, 7,614 of a total 18,380 apprentices were registered by FÁS as being redundant. Of this number, 4,320 can progress in their apprenticeship having reached the minimum qualifying standard at the relevant training phase while 3,294 must first successfully pass their outstanding assessment(s) to permit similar progression.

FÁS has introduced a number of measures to date which have assisted over 4,000 redundant apprentices with on and off-the-job training.

The rules for off-the-job training have been amended to permit redundant apprentices to progress to their next off-the-job training phases. Of those apprentices registered as redundant at end September, 2,439 had completed off-the-job training and 955 are currently attending off-the-job training.

The Redundant Apprentice Placement Scheme was introduced in April 2010 to provide opportunities to redundant apprentices to complete on-the-job training at Phase 3, 5 and 7. The scheme provides a weekly subsidy of €250 to the employer towards employment costs. At end September 2010, 258 had commenced their on-the-job training phase, of whom 17 had completed the relevant phase.

ESB Networks are providing on-the-job training to 252 eligible redundant electrical and motor mechanics apprentices in 2010. At end September 2010, 189 redundant apprentices had completed the training with 63 currently in training with ESB Networks.

FÁS has also developed Phase 7 Equivalent off-the-job assessments for redundant apprentices for the trades of Carpentry & Joinery, Electrical, Plumbing, Brick & Stonelaying and Cabinet Making, where Phase 7 assessments cannot be undertaken on-the-job. At end September 2010, 91 redundant apprentices had completed the assessments and a further 52 are scheduled to take the assessments.

Redundant apprentices may also avail of existing specific skills training courses and evening courses available at FÁS Training Centres to enhance their employable skills. At end September 2010, some 1,133 course places have been availed of by redundant apprentices to date in 2010.

Under the EU Leonardo Da Vinci III Life Long Learning Programme, Léargas in collaboration with FÁS, has supported 25 redundant apprentices to complete on-the-job training overseas. Eighteen redundant apprentices are currently in on-the-job training overseas and 17 redundant apprentices will be scheduled for on-the-job training in the first half of 2011.

At end September, 9 redundant apprentices formerly employed by S.R. Technics had commenced Phase 5 and 7 on-the-job training with the Air Corps and a further 9 are scheduled to commence in November.

FÁS, in consultation with the Department, continues to examine further potential measures to facilitate the progression and completion of apprenticeships including possibilities for on-the-job placements with public sector employers.