New measures to tackle long-term unemployment and give priority to disadvantaged groups are planned by FÁS in the wake of a cutback in its funding.
In its end-of-year review, the State training and employment agency says a number of its programmes will have to be reduced because of a €53 million cut.
As a result, greater priority is to be given to disadvantaged client groups in 2003, with new schemes to include a proactive referral service for the long-term unemployed in Dublin.
The review, not yet published but seen by The Irish Times, also reveals that a record number of job vacancies was reported to FÁS by employers last year.
The total number of vacancies notified, 103,000, compared to figures ranging between 65,000 and 75,000 for the previous three years. The dramatic increase, however, did not necessarily reflect buoyancy in the jobs market.
Instead, FÁS attributes it to a new regulation requiring employers to notify it of all vacancies for which work permits are being sought.
This measure was introduced to give people from Ireland and other European Economic Area states an opportunity to apply for jobs before a work permit was issued. In the majority of cases, however, the jobs concerned still went to immigrants who required a work permit. A total of 40,231 such permits were issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment last year.
Looking ahead to 2003, FÁS says that in common with many publicly-funded organisations, its activity levels will have to be reduced. The agency expects to spend €818 million this year, compared to €871 in 2002. "FÁS will aim to achieve this reduction through efficiencies in certain areas and reductions in numbers on some programmes."
In particular, it is intended to reduce the numbers on community employment (CE) schemes, from 25,000 at present to 20,000 by the end of the year. "This reflects the lesser need for this programme given the large falls in long-term unemployment during recent years."
In making reductions to the scheme, FÁS says it will ensure there is continued support for priority projects in the areas of drugs, childcare and health.
The Government promised last year such areas would be "ring-fenced" from the effects of cutbacks to the CE schemes.
A "major review" of the CE programme is also being carried out "to see if it can be usefully redesigned to provide greater benefit to participants".
The agency's overall aim this year will be to prioritise services for disadvantaged groups. Support for programmes specifically geared towards the disabled is to be maintained.
In addition, a "high support process" for "very disadvantaged clients" is to be introduced this year, with a budget of €1.27 million, involving a co-ordinated, multi-agency approach.
And in a "major new initiative", a pilot programme targeting the long-term unemployed in Ballyfermot, Kilkenny, Clondalkin and Galway is to be extended to all on long-term unemployment in Dublin.