Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No.150 of 14 September 2011, if he will provide a list of the measures already being provided to the redundant workers, a list of relevant service providers and an indication of the redundant workers who are accessing those measures being provided in anticipation of the European global adjustment fund approval. [27687/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 150 of 14 September 2011, the EU budgetary authorities, have not to date approved the three applications submitted by my Department for EGF co-financing, which contain various active labour market measures in support of certain identified workers made redundant between 1 July 2009 and 31 March 2010 in the construction sector. However, a decision is expected shortly in this regard from the European Commission.

A number of measures, for which EGF co-financing is being sought, are already being provided by the relevant service providers and funded from national sources.

These measures include career guidance, full, part-time and evening further education and training courses, apprenticeship on-and off-the-job training, full and part-time third level education programmes, enterprise start-up advisory and financial supports and related training and education allowances where appropriate.

The main service providers delivering these supports are FÁS, Vocational Education Committees, publicly-funded higher education institutes and City and County Enterprise Boards. Training is also provided through contracted private service providers and the technical employment support grant mechanism administered by FÁS.

To date, it is estimated that at least 4,500 interventions for this cohort have been commenced in the area of guidance, training and third level education. Data is still being collated from a number of service providers.

Subject to EU approval of the EGF applications, further measures will be provided or intensified as appropriate. Upon approval of the EGF applications, I will make copies of same publicly available for information purposes.