Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that are in place to provide education or training places for taxi drivers looking to leave the industry. [54568/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The National Transport Authority is responsible for the licensing and regulation of Taxis in Ireland. I understand that The Board of the Authority decides on key taxi regulation matters.

In relation to the provision of education and training places for taxi drivers, from my own Departments point of view, FÁS provides a range of training courses for all jobseekers including those considering a different career direction. There are a number of course delivery options available including day courses (full-time or part-time), evening courses, on-line courses and blended learning courses designed to cater for individual circumstances. Owing to the current high levels of unemployment and the budgetary constraints my Department is faced with, the focus of the funding, for training provided by FÁS, is aimed at unemployed people. The eligibility criteria for participation in FÁS training courses by unemployed persons are a matter for the Department of Social Protection. A small number of fee paying individuals may also undertake evening courses. These individuals may approach the FÁS Training Centres directly to enquire about availability of such courses.