Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons currently involved in retraining-upskilling schemes; the number of job placements achieved arising from such schemes over the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47336/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I am informed that 7,306 job-seekers undertook training with Skillnets in 2013. An independent evaluation by Indecon International Economic Consultants of all Skillnets programmes and activity in 2013 gave the following levels of progression into employment for Skillnets unemployed trainees: The Training Networks Programme (TNP) and Finuas Networks Programme (Finuas) - 42% progression rate: The Job-seekers Support Programme (JSSP) – 47% progression rate

The projected number of job-seekers that will train with Skillnets in 2014, and the progression rates into employment, are expected to be similar to 2013.

I understand from SOLAS that the out-turn projection of services provision to the end of 2014, as reported by the Education and Training Boards and other organisations, indicate that 219,178 people will commence further education and training programmes during 2014. Approximately every two years, SOLAS commissions independent researchers to carry out a survey to find out what happens to people after they exit SOLAS education and training programmes. The most recent survey documents the experiences of those who exited during the summer of 2012. The survey covers all SOLAS full-time training programmes, as well as evening courses and online learning. It was conducted in May and June 2013 among trainees who had exited these programmes 12 months previously. A total of 2,074 interviews were conducted. the survey is available at www.solas.ie.