Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

[Deputy Ruairí Quinn.]
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
contracted to deliver certain administrative and technical support services to EGF funded programmes
in Ireland, including in respect of the closure of the SR Technics programme.
To date, on the basis of claims received, the Department has paid some €1,300,073 on EGF
programme measures pertaining to the SR Technics workers. A number of additional claims
are currently being processed by my Department or are awaited in the context of the ongoing
verification and certification process.
A Final Report and statement justifying expenditure is being prepared by my Department
and is required to be submitted to the European Commission by 9 April 2012. Until the Final
Report and accompanying statement are prepared and submitted and considered and duly
responded to by the European Commission, it is not possible to state how much funding will
be required to be reimbursed to the EU. However, it is anticipated that total expenditure on
this programme will be significantly lower than the total funding available.
FÁS Training Programmes
189. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an organisation
in Balbriggan, County Dublin (details supplied) has not been selected by FÁS asa
location for training of unemployed persons in 2012; if she will have this issue reviewed as a
matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7987/12]
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn): I am informed that the FÁS Training
Centre located in Baldoyle has responsibility for the operation and administration of contracted
training in North Dublin which includes the Balbriggan area.
In 2011, FÁS Baldoyle Training Centre conducted a performance review of its training portfolio
and provision provided over the previous two years. This review in conjunction with the
FÁS training strategy and corporate objectives has determined the 2012 training portfolio and
the allocation of training provision.
In light of the prevailing economic conditions it is imperative for training courses to achieve
critical performance measurements to justify continuing budget allocation. The FÁS analysis
of the courses delivered in the Balbriggan area highlighted that in some cases the required
training outcomes, particularly placement into employment were not being achieved. Consequently,
the initial 2012 allocation of training provision located in the Balbriggan area has been
adjusted from the 2011 provision.
I have been informed that a number of contributing factors were taken into consideration
when allocating funds for the allocation of contracted training provision. With the closure of
the FÁS Cabra Training Centre and the FÁS City Training Centre in recent years the provision
of direct training facilities has resulted in a greater dependence on contracted training. A
greater number of urban dwelling clients no longer have direct public transport routes to the
remaining FÁS training locations. However, Balbriggan residents can access FÁS Baldoyle
Training Centre directly by mainline rail, within the payable travel allowance. If individuals
are successful in obtaining employment there is no guarantee the jobs will be located in the
Balbriggan hinterland.
FÁS selects approved training contractors through an equitable and transparent procurement
process although, it must be born in mind that training contracts are not automatically awarded
to particular training contractors located in a specific area. I am however, given to understand
that Balbriggan Enterprise Development Group remains on the FÁS approved tender list of
contracted trainers and will be provided with the opportunity to tender for training provision
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