FAS is to appoint an ombudsman to deal with complaints by trainees, unemployed people, employers and members of the public, writes Padraig Yates. The Irish Times has learnt that Prof Kieran Kennedy, former director of the Economic and Social Research Institute, has agreed to accept the position, which is to be formally announced later this week. His official title will be Independent Client Services Commissioner.

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed has long been calling for an ombudsman to be appointed, to whom the 70,000 people FAS trains each year can take any complaints. Employer bodies have also been critical of aspects of FAS training and employers will also be able to raise issues with him. A number of FAS staff have already been seconded to provide him with administrative back-up.