Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the core strategy utilised by FÁS, the State training agency, of interviewing unemployed persons and referring them for training; if it is effective in getting them off jobseeker's; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21482/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The FÁS Employment Service, which deals with the interview process referred to, has been transferred to the Department of Social Protection with effect from the beginning of this year. Under the current National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) system, all those who are unemployed and signing on are referred to the employment service when they reach three months singing on. These NEAP clients are prioritised for assistance by the Employment Service. That assistance may include referral to FÁS training, but also help and advice on job search, referral to jobs or employment programmes, referral to assistance from other relevant public agencies, and assistance in accessing education opportunities.

During 2011, over 100,000 people were referred to the (then FÁS) Employment Service under EAP, and some 80,000 people attended for interview. Data on outcomes are available for persons (some 81,900) who were referred for the first time during 2011. Outcomes were measured as at the end of January 2012, when it was found that 65% had left Live Register while 35% were still on it.

· 65% left Live Register:

o 64% (53,300) of the total referred to FÁS (81,900) had left the Live Register by the end of January 2012.

o 15,900 (19% of the total referred) were placed in jobs, training or education and, of those, 4,700 (30%) were placed in jobs.

o 24,600 were interviewed and then left the Live Register without further intervention (30% of the total referred).

o 12,900 did not attend for interview but left the Register (16% of those referred).

· 36% still on Live Register:

o 36% (28,600) of the total referred to FÁS (81,900) were still on the Live Register at the end of January 2012.

o 25,000 were interviewed but not placed in jobs/training/education (31% of referred)

o 2,800 did not attend for interview and are still on the Live Register (3% of those referred).

o 400 were awaiting interview (1% of those referred).

o 300 were active with the Local Employment Service

The former FÁS Employment Services are now being integrated into the new National Employment and Entitlement Service (NEES). This will see the establishment of a single "one stop shop" public employment and benefits service with clear targets for rolling out a new approach which includes:

- better targeting of services through profiling those entering the live register

- responsibility for delivering a more regular engagement with those on the Live Register at appropriate intervals, specifically targeting and tailoring the approach in so far as it is possible. Interventions will include referral to group engagement, education and/or training and placement/work experience opportunities at appropriate intervals

- provision of recruitment and job-matching services for employers and the unemployed

- the provision of appropriate career guidance support as part of the engagement and referral system

- effective communication and marketing of NEES services to employers

- more meaningful engagement between the Department of Social Protection and employers both nationally and at a local level

- improved service provision and monitoring of effectiveness through the roll out of a public services card, and

- the implementation of sanctions against those who refuse to engage with the activation process.