Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will arrange for FÁS to offer language courses to unemployed persons in Tallaght, Dublin 24; if he appreciates the importance of such courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55594/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by FÁS that their Training Services in Tallaght focus on delivering vocational training and do not deliver programmes which solely focus on language skills.

I understand that students at third level currently have access to a wide range of foreign language courses that can be taken as core subjects or in combination with a range of other disciplines. Almost 150 places were made available on language courses under the Springboard 2012 programme in this regard. Information on all language courses is available on the Qualifax website: www.qualifax.ie.

Furthermore, under the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI), County Dublin VEC is providing 2 "English for speakers of other languages" (ESOL) courses at FETAC level 3 and 1 ESOL course at FETAC level 4 which are based in the Adult Education Service, Tallaght. They are also providing 2 ESOL courses at FETAC level 4 and 1 ISOL course at FETAC level 5 in Killinarden Enterprise Park, in partnership with Dodder Valley Partnership.

In addition unemployed people may also access Language Training programmes with assistance from the Training and Education Support Grant (TESG) which is administered by the Department of Social Protection.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills has his attention been drawn to a delay in the organisation of FÁS training courses for apprentices usually run in January (details supplied), when a decision will be made in relation to whether these courses will go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55680/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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This is an operation matter for FÁS. I am informed that the company in question has four apprentices at present. The position as regards their training is as follows:

Two apprentices will be scheduled to attend Metal Fabrication training in Cork Training Centre starting 14th January, 2013.

As one apprentice was registered on 30th November, 2012, they will not be due to be called to a Phase 2 course until March 2013.

Finally, one apprentice cannot progress their apprenticeship further at this time as they have to repeat Phase 2 examinations.