Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 46: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason FÁS students who passed all exams are not receiving their certificates. [47933/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that FÁS, in the implementation of its new Training Standards System, discovered processing issues in the North East which gave rise to errors on requests which had been made by FAS to FETAC. Certificates for 53 learners on 6 courses were involved but the certificates in question had not issued to the learners involved. The errors arise from administrative, processing and data entry issues rather than with the quality of the programmes. FÁS informed FETAC on 10 November.

FETAC, on 10 November, 2010, decided to hold the issuing of certificates to FÁS. FETAC is now conducting an examination of the processes underpinning the requesting of certificates by FÁS from FETAC and are doing so with the full co-operation of FÁS which is in agreement with this approach. FETAC is visiting each of the 17 centres that request certificates from FETAC and, as of close of business on Wednesday 15 December, had completed 10 site visits. I understand that FETAC expects to complete the visits by the end of December and it will then consider the outcomes and determine next steps.

It has become clear as site visits have progressed that the issues encountered do not affect apprenticeship certificates or certificates issued under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme and that FETAC processing of these awards has recommenced. FETAC will be publishing a report of its examination which will outline any issues encountered and learners affected. I understand that FETAC will not be publishing outcomes in advance of the finalisation of the report. I can assure the Deputy that FÁS will address any issues raised in the FETAC report.