Written answers

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Department of Social Protection

Departmental Bodies

9:00 pm

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the timetable envisaged for the replacement of FÁS by the new employment and training organisation announced by the Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37079/11]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The establishment of the new National Employment and Entitlements Service (NEES), under the management of my Department, will be a multi-annual programme of work between now and 2014 requiring the development of the new service, the assignment of functions to the Service and the development of its organisational processes and operational systems.

We have already made significant progress. For example many of the constituent programmes and functions have already transferred to the Department; the Rural Social Scheme and Community Services Programme has transferred from the Department of Community, Equality and the Gaeltacht; the Redundancy and Insolvency Schemes have transferred from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation; the Community Welfare Service (CWS) formally transferred to the Department on the 1st of October; and the Employment Services and Community Employment Programmes of FÁS will transfer on schedule on the 1st of January 2012.

I am determined that progress to transform the combined operations of the organisations outlined above into a new integrated service will be made in the most expeditious manner possible and my officials are already actively engaged in a programme of work towards this end.

As the Deputy will be aware a major transformation programme is now under way following the approval by the Government of a detailed project plan for the development of the NEES in July and the publication of this plan in August. The project plan outlines key tasks, milestones and a detailed schedule of work from now until 2014. This project plan is available on the Department's website at www.welfare.ie.

It should be noted that policy responsibility for skills training undertaken by FÁS currently resides with the Department of Education and Skills. The future development of the training and skills services of FÁS is a matter for the Minister for Education and Skills.

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