Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment: statement

This statement was released last night on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan:

"Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Ms Mary Coughlan TD today met with the chairman and some members of the board of Fás, the Training and Employment Agency.

The Tánaiste reiterated her disquiet at the recent revelations concerning activities in the public affairs division of Fás, including those relating to foreign travel, but welcomed the board's assurance that action had now been taken to deal with these matters.

The Tánaiste made it clear that she wanted the Fás organisation to remain focused on its core mission, given the employment and training challenges currently facing the country and she expressed her support for the continuing work of the board in that regard.

In particular, she acknowledged the ongoing commitment of the staff of Fás in meeting these challenges.

She placed particular emphasis on their work in addressing the situation affecting redundant apprentices, training for those unemployed, providing supports for people with disabilities, the upskilling of the workforce and the continued operation of community employment schemes.

During the course of the meeting, the Tánaiste acknowledged the work of the board and, in particular, of its audit committee to date, in addressing the issues raised by the Fás internal audit reports, which were referred to in the Comptroller and Auditor General's report currently under consideration by the Public Accounts Committee.

The Tánaiste said she looked forward to the Comptroller and Auditor General beginning his examination of the effectiveness of management and control systems in the Fás organisation, which she had requested in September, once the Public Accounts Committee has completed its current hearings."

© 2008 The Irish Times