Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the courses or advice for unemployed persons in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 5 and 9; and the option for persons wanting to work or undertake a course. [7051/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Unemployed persons from Dublin 5 & 9 areas are not limited to opportunities in the local area, and can avail of the full range of training and education courses available to the unemployed. It is expected that FÁS will deliver at least 90,000 training places for the unemployed in 2011. FÁS offers a wide range of training courses and delivery methods to suit individual client needs in the development of their skill-sets. An individual is eligible to take part on a FÁS course if they are unemployed, redundant or out of full-time education.

The Labour Market Activation Fund was launched in March 2010, in order to assist in the creation of training and education provision for specific priority groups among the unemployed, namely the low skilled, and those formerly employed in declining sectors - construction, retail and manufacturing sectors -, with particular emphasis on the under 35's and the long-term unemployed. Contracts were awarded to fifty five organisations across the private, not-for-profit and public sectors, providing approximately 12,000 training places for of the unemployed. Programmes are due to come to completion by end June 2011 and many of the places on these courses have already been filled at this stage. The list of programme providers and the courses they are providing is available at the following web page www.qualifax.ie.

In addition to the above provision, in 2011 it is expected that 168,000 full time and part time Further Education places and 156,000 full time Higher Education places will be provided. In the Further Education Sector there is also a range of full time Adult and Further Education courses open to the unemployed. Full-time options include Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) and Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) courses. The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) is the part time alternative.

In relation to the Higher Education Sector, in December 2010 the Government announced the creation of a new €20 million Higher Education Activation Fund. The aim of this Fund is to enable unemployed people access part-time higher education opportunities from certificate to post graduate levels (Levels 6 to 9 on NFQ). The Part-time education initiative also facilitates unemployed people to continue to look for work and be available to take up employment while upgrading their qualifications and skills. A first call for proposals for €5m issued in January 2011. It is expected that a formal launch of the programmes offered under this Fund will be announced in the coming months.

Specifically in the Dublin Region FÁS provides a broad range of services for unemployed clients including: *On-site Information, Registration, Referral, Guidance and Placement Services in 16 Employment Services Offices – locations: Balbriggan, Baldoyle, Coolock, Swords, Finglas (2 offices), Blanchardstown, D'Olier St., Parnell St., Baggot St., Ballyfermot, Crumlin, Clondalkin, Tallaght, Rathfarnham, Dun Laoghaire. *FÁS JobsIreland provides access to job vacancies, online CV profiling for employers from all over Europe, and effective CV-to-job matching.*Referral to full range of FÁS-funded training and employment options: Community Services Programmes – Community Training Centre's, Local Training Initiatives, Specialist Training Providers, Jobs Clubs *Direct recruitment for all in-centre FÁS Training Services courses (short courses, specific skills courses, on-line, blended, traineeships, evening courses) which lead to component certification and/or industry-recognised certification. There are five FÁS Training Centres in Dublin, as follows: Baldoyle, Finglas, Tallaght, Loughlinstown, Ballyfermot.*Direct recruitment for FÁS Training Services externally-Contracted Training Courses: these courses are made available in local areas as required, particularly where no permanent FÁS training provision exists e.g. Blanchardstown, Balbriggan, Swords, City Centre, Ballinteer, Dun Laoghaire. The full range of in-centre and contracted training courses is advertised on www.fas.ie, this includes courses such as: Electrical Control Systems, Computerised Payroll, Financial Advisor's Assistant, CompTIA A+, Accounting Technician, Healthcare Assistant, Web Design, Project Management, Pharmacy Sales.*The Work Placement Programme, which offers unemployed people, including unemployed graduates, the opportunity to obtain 9 months experience in a work situation.