At the outset, can I say a sincere thank you for the invitation to Letterkenny to launch the FÁS North Western Regional Plan for 1999.

The plan establishes the framework for the delivery by FÁS of a large spread of services to FÁS clients in this Region over the next year. It is clear to me that a lot of solid ground work and research has gone into the compilation of this Plan and I heartily commend FÁS on this great work.

The key global objective in the plan is the provision of training and employment programmes for over 8,500 people in the North West Counties of Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo, in respect of which over £32 million will be invested by FÁS.

The general aim of these efforts by FÁS is to promote the economic development of this Region through the provision of training and employment services and to ensure the existence of a highly trained labour force which will contribute towards the maximum exploitation of technological advancements in both industrial and service sectors

Specific elements of the plan are the allocation of some 1,650 training places distributed between Training Centres, in-company training and contracted training courses.

Another important feature of this North West Plan by FÁS is the provision of services for local communities through its Community Services Division. Over 600 persons will be provided with training opportunities in 1999 in community and local workshops.

Another noteworthy feature, on this front, is that FÁS has established a community services unit which enables the organisation to deliver its services to communities in a much more integrated manner. Communities can now access all FÁS community services through their local FÁS development team.

At any given time throughout the year some 2,650 persons will be engaged in temporary employment schemes.

In addition over 500 persons, currently employed in the region's business community will avail of training interventions organised by Services to Business, within FÁS.

I am very pleased that FÁS will actively seek to recruit unemployed persons to participate in these programmes and in particular that there will be an emphasis on recruiting those who are long-term unemployed.

Having outlined FÁS objectives over the present year, it is worth calling to mind its out-turn in the Region for 1998. The following statistics speak for themselves. Last year over 8,500 people in the region availed of training and employment opportunities on FÁS programmes. Some 1,182 people participated in Night Training Courses offered at the three Training Centres in Letterkenny, Gweedore and Sligo. 1,895 people were placed by the FÁS Placement Service in job vacancies notified by employers. Interventions using the Job Training Scheme resulted in 150 unemployed people obtaining quality training in suitable companies and a placement of 80% was recorded thereafter.

At any one time last year there were approximately 2,700 people participating in Community Employment projects throughout the region. In addition 1,400 persons completed skills training at FÁS Training Centres in Letterkenny, Gweedore and Sligo. On completion of their training programmes 68% of trainees were placed into employment. A further 700 people completed a range of FÁS programmes in the Community. A total of 266 companies were assisted in 515 training interventions during the year under the Training Support Scheme. Community Initiatives were assisted through Enterprise Worker Grants, Development Grants and Commercial Aid Grants which are aimed at developing local community based enterprise.

Of course not all of the news from the North West over the past few months, has been in the positive category. I am referring to the unfortunate developments at Fruit of the Loom and the Donegal Shirt Company. However, this Government is not reacting passively to these developments; on the contrary we have responded in a very positive and active manner. My Government Colleague, Ms. Mary Harney T.D., our Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, established the Donegal Employment Initiative last September, as a direct response to the expected job losses at Fruit of the Loom and this is working closely with all of the Development Agencies in collective efforts to find new employment opportunities for County Donegal, which of course includes the areas affected by the job losses at both Fruit of the Loom and the Donegal Shirt Company.

IDA Ireland has placed the Donegal Region firmly in focus with its overseas marketing staff by arranging visits to the various locations and familiarising them with the resources and facilities available. Over the past six months, IDA Ireland has been bringing companies on first time site visits to County Donegal and a number of these companies have returned for a second visit. Currently, out of these site visits I understand that there are three companies involved in ongoing detailed discussions with IDA Ireland in relation to potential new investments. Hopefully there will be a successful outcome to these negotiations.

In addition, the development of a new 27 acre business park in Letterkenny is progressing well, with the completed new advance factory attracting significant interest. Planning application has been lodged for a second 25,000 sq. ft. advance factory. Arrangements have also been finalised for the construction of a new quality office building at Windyhill in Letterkenny.

These developments, together with the quality buildings available from Fruit of the Loom at Milford, Raphoe and Malin, will enable the IDA to actively market industrial sites in a number of locations throughout Donegal North East with a view to sustaining a geographical spread of employment opportunities in the area.

Enterprise Ireland is actively pursuing indigenous enterprises for the region particularly in the fishing, food and tourism sectors. They have approved financial support of £1.7m to various companies in Co. Donegal in 1998 which will help create almost 200 jobs over the coming years.

All of these efforts are been supported at local level, by the outstanding work of the Donegal County Enterprise Board, who are totally committed to the development of small industry throughout the county, creating over 350 jobs over the last few years.

In relation to training, FÁS and CERT, in co-operation with the Donegal Employment Initiative, have drawn up a joint programme for the retraining of workers who are to be made redundant at both Fruit of the Loom and the Donegal Shirt Company.

My Government Colleague, Dr James McDaid T.D., Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, recently announced details of a £0.5m CERT initiative involving a range of training programmes to help the workers who are being made redundant to find new jobs in the growing Tourism Sector.

Chomh maith leis sin, tá sár - obair á dheánaimh ag Udurás na Gaeltachta, chun fostáiocht a chur ar fáil do mhuintir dílis na Gaeltachta, anseo i dtír Conaill agus ins na Gaeltachtái eile are fud na tíre.

This is an indication of this Government's commitment to the North West Region and a testament to the speed and comprehensiveness of our response to this Region's difficulties.

Switching to the national focus, it has to be noted that in spite of the record levels of job creation in recent years there are still over 200,000 persons on the Live Register, a significant number of whom are long-term unemployed. The new Action Plan for the Long-Term Unemployed sets targets for training for the long-term unemployed to assist everybody in addressing this purpose. The emphasis will be on helping long-term unemployed persons receive suitable and appropriate training.

An important element in the Government's strategy is that young people should not be allowed to drift into long-term unemployment. Sadly this has been the fate of many young people who have left school too early. In 1999 the emphasis in the category of Early School Leavers will be on progression from basic to higher specific skills training with a focus on current demands in the labour market. Such programmes include Preparatory Development for Apprenticeship - a programme designed to provide real second chance education and training for persons not qualified for entry to apprenticeship. Bridging Foundation Training programmes designed to raise the clients skills status to permit entry into further training. Training places on mainstream training programmes will be reserved for those who successfully complete this programme.

Also of relevance in this regard is the implementation of the National Employment Action Plan. The Placement Services Unit is spearheading this initiative which is currently focused on the under 25's. As the plan progresses, the Placement Services Unit will be committed to making contact with all of the long-term unemployed. FÁS will provide comprehensive job placement, recruitment and guidance service in the region through its network of Placement Services Offices and Clinics. All of these provisions will apply in this Region.

FÁS here in the North West have an outstanding record at the National community Initiative Awards. Last year both Creevy Co-Op Ltd and Arrow Community Enterprises Ltd were presented with special merit awards at the National Event.

FÁS North-West has been instrumental in supporting a wide range of Special Cross-Border Initiatives in conjunction with the International Fund for Ireland Wider Horizon Programme and Peace and Reconciliation and aim to improve the employability of young unemployed people in disadvantaged areas as well, at the same time, promoting mutual understanding and reconciliation.

A number of Cross Border Programmes are planned for 1999. The FÁS Training Centre Sligo together with the Northern Ireland Training & Employment Agency, Lisburn Training Centre and the British Polymer Association have formed a partnership to access funds through the EU INTERREG Programme. The funding will apply to the six border counties in the South and all six counties in Northern Ireland. It will be made available as a training subsidy to plastics processing companies for the training of company employees by FÁS and the Northern Ireland Training and Employment Agency.

In conclusion, I would like to sincerely congratulate FÁS on its excellent work here in this North West Region, to encourage them to maintain and even, dare I say, surpass these efforts and I wish them every success with the implementation of their 1999 Action Plan.