Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if it is planned to hold an Employment Advice Fair and Youth@Work event in Counties Wicklow and Carlow; if she will provide a full schedule of such fairs that are planned; and the basis on which locations for these fairs are chosen. [20515/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The local, regional, national and European Jobs and Advice Fairs which the Department have been conducting are organised to give job seekers and employers the opportunity to meet and to avail of all employment and employment related supports in the locality. In addition the Fairs seek to promote employment opportunities in the Single European Labour Market.

The Fairs are organised with relevant stakeholders as partners. Key to their success has been the close co-operation with the Chambers of Commerce and the statutory and voluntary sectors operating at local level. The non-staff costs of these events are fully funded by the European Commission and the Department has sought funding from the European Commission to conduct at least one event in each D.S.P. region over the next 12 months. It should be noted that a very successful event was held in Carlow last September and consideration is being given to holding a Fair in Wicklow in 2012. In general the location of each event depends on the availability and numbers of jobs which Employers have and the co-operation of relevant stakeholders. The population and labour force base is also a factor.

Youth@work is a European Commission organised and delivered programme. This programme will end this month and no further events will take place anywhere in Europe.