Mary Harney Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Monday 10th May, 1999) launched the Interactive Training Project at FÁS Training Centre, Cookstown Industrial Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Interactive is a project developed by the Tallaght Partnership in conjunction with FÁS, which is funded through the Integra strand of the EU Employment Initiative. The project was developed with a view to encouraging and facilitating access to training in the area of computing skills and information technology for people who are long-term unemployed and living in the Tallaght area.

Speaking at the launch the Tánaiste said "The Interactive project is an excellent example of an innovative training approach to help people gain employment, achieve better social integration and to access additional education and training."

Interactive involves the use of innovative training methodologies in conjunction with a range of outreach engagement and job-seeking supports, which are provided by the Local Employment Service. Participants are free to choose the times and duration of their training.

During 1998 and 1999, 154 people have participated on the Interactive course and there have been positive outcomes for participants. To date, 32 participants have secured employment, 13 have progressed onto further education and others have progresses to Community Employment or are preparing for the European Computer Driving licence qualification which is an accreditation for an extended programme of training.

The Tánaiste congratulated the Tallaght Partnership for devising such an innovative project and wished all those associated with the project every success in the future