Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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59. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason driving courses were discontinued in the FÁS centre in Dundalk in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4532/14]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I am informed that following a comprehensive review of training programmes in what was then the FÁS North East Region in 2012 it was decided to discontinue driving courses. I am informed that this was due to there being no labour market demand with very few vacancies for commercial drivers being advertised. This continues to be the case. Through consultation with key stakeholders such as the Department Social Protection, it appeared that there is an oversupply of persons with commercial driving licenses.

The Department of Social Protection was already funding individuals who could make a business case that the training would lead to employment through the Technical Employment Support Grant. In addition, in follow up surveys where FÁS contacted individuals who had completed driving courses they were achieving very limited placement/transfer into employment.

SOLAS North East will continue to review the provision of courses and would welcome submissions from interested parties who can exhibit potential employment opportunities by linking it to the delivery of market led training courses.