Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the additional resources available to him as a result of the jobs initiative announcement by the Minister for Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14479/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of additional training places available as a result of the jobs initiative announcement; the particular programmes that will have additional placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14475/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 60 together.

The recent Jobs Initiative contains details of over 20,000 additional training, education and work experience places for the unemployed. The majority of the places (15,900) will be delivered through the Department of Education and Skills and through the following programmes. 6,000 places on FÁS Specific Skills Training Courses (FÁS) 3,000 places on the part-time Further Education Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) 1,000 places on the Further Education Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC) 5,900 Higher Education places on the Springboard Initiative. These additional places are being funded in 2011 through a combination of additional funds and through redeployment of some financial resources within the Department. In 2011 an additional €8.3 million is being provided to my Department in this regard.