I am very pleased that I have been able to join you today to launch the FAS-Dublin South & Wicklow 1999 Regional Plan. The plan establishes the framework for the delivery by FAS of a wide spread of services to FAS clients in this Region. During the current year some £32million has been provided for this purpose. The Dublin South & Wicklow Region, encompasses Dublin 6, 14, 16, 18 and part of Dublin 4 as well as the Borough of Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown and all of Co. Wicklow. It is served by Loughlinstown Training Centre and six Employment Services Offices.

Before outlining some of the specific targets FAS has set itself for this region we must evaluate the FAS programme against the present needs of our economy. Briefly, the Government is currently fulfilling, and in many cases exceeding, our key labour market goals. At present we are successful in translating our economic growth into jobs growth. The unemployment rate, at the last report, was down to 6.8% and continues to drop. Indeed, the long-term unemployment rate has fallen very dramatically over the space of four years. But we are not complacent.

I and my colleagues in Government have signalled on several occasions before that we are determined to reduce unemployment to at least 5% through reintegrating the existing long-term unemployed back into jobs and through preventing drift into long-term unemployment. A key element in this strategy is the activation programme for under 25's, introduced last year as part of our Employment Action Plan, which gives effect to the EU Employment Guidelines. The programme, operated through FAS and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, provides intensive support and structured pathways back into employment.

For persons at a remove from the labour market it is not enough just to open the door. It is also essential to equip them with the skills and experience for jobs, to match programmes both to jobseekers' needs and the need of employers. That is what this Government is seeking to do in a targeted set of labour market initiatives. And it is against this general background that I am delighted to be here today at the formal launch of the FAS Dublin South and Wicklow Regional Plan.

There is a major focus for FAS in 1999 on the implementation of the FAS Action Plan for the Unemployed. It is very easy in our successful economy to lose sight of the fact that there are still many people who are in the long-term unemployed category. I am delighted that their numbers are considerably reduced in recent years and appreciate that this is no small measure has come about through the actions of FAS. The FAS Action Plan for the Unemployed represents a strategic effort on the part of FAS to be proactive in this matter.

The implementation of our National Employment Action Plan, is fully incorporated into the Regional 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 in the Region. As part of the Plan a new Career Development Training Programme is planned for the Region. This new programme, specifically designed for the under 25's, will be run in Loughlinstown Training Centre. The Placement Services Unit is planning to deal with an anticipated 8,000 Job Notices from employers in the Region and to deal with over 100,000 Callers to Placement Services Offices.

An important element in this Government's social inclusion strategy is endeavouring to ensure 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 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.

Community Youth Training Projects will continue to benefit both the participants and the local communities where the schemes are located. Cases in point in the region are Wicklow Enterprise Centre which is due to be completed in Spring 1999 and Marlay Park House which should be completed in time for the Millennium Celebrations. Indeed, the Marlay Park House initiative is one of the FAS projects I have visited since I took up the Labour Affairs portfolio. This House has a rich history but fell into disrepair. FÁS commenced this project in February 1992 with the purpose of restoring the building to its former state. When the building is complete it will be open to the public.

This sample project involves skills training in the area of restoration work and provides opportunities for redundant apprentices and unskilled trainees to complete their craft training. To date 147 trainees have trained on the project of whom 103 have been placed in full time employment. The project is being sponsored by the Dublin Society of Model and Experimental Engineers Ltd., who intend using a room in the completed building for the display of model railways. This project demonstrates how FÁS and its dedicated trainees & skilled crafts people can engage in valuable skills training which benefits not only the participants but is also to the benefit of the local community.

The Job Training Scheme continues to enjoy success. This year some 140 participants and 75 employers are expected to participate in the scheme in Dublin South and Wicklow. The Traineeship Programmes also continue to flourish. Currently there are arrangements in this region with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, the Teleservices Association, Dell, IBM, AIB and IBEC's Software Association. And I am pleased to note the calibre of firms that have become involved in the Programme. This is a true vote of confidence in Traineeship.

Another important component in addressing unemployment is the Community Employment scheme which continues to enjoy the support of both sponsors and participants. FAS is putting an even greater emphasis on increasing the rate for participants to progress into full time employment from CE. There are currently close to 3,000 people participating in Community Employment projects in this Region.

As regards persons currently in employment, it should be noted that the FAS Regional Plan includes programmes dedicated to their training needs also. Apprenticeship Training continues to grow in the Region with 1999 seeing Loughlinstown Training Centre with four Electrical Apprenticeship courses running in tandem. In addition two Carpentry Apprenticeship Programmes will operate here.

This year the region will administer grant aid schemes to local business through its services to business unit. Aid available includes the Management Development Grant, the Training Support Scheme and the Construction Training Incentive Scheme. In addition, the Excellence Through People awards continue to gather momentum from year to year. Designed by FAS, these awards grant recognition to organisations that are employee and training orientated. During 1999 a total of 7 organisations in the Region are expected to achieve the standard. And with skills shortages coming ever more to the fore as potential problems for Irish industry it is vital that employers continually upskill their own workforces.

In 1999, FAS is planning to cater for an anticipated 11,000 participants in Training and Community Programmes in the Region. The Training Services Unit plans to provide a total of 37 courses either internally or through contracted training. I am also very pleased to record that FAS Dublin South & Wicklow continues to be a leader in Multimedia Training with the multimedia unit in Loughlinstown Training Centre equipped with state of the art technology. In 1999 it is expected that over 200 people will receive training in the facility on either day or evening programmes. Indeed, Loughlinstown Training Centre is now offering European Computer driving licence certification. This is a seven module qualification that is, very importantly, internationally recognised and delivered through the multimedia unit.

In addition, the Loughlinstown Training Centre is now a fully authorised Microsoft academic training partner. This means that fully recognised Microsoft accreditation can be delivered by FAS in the region. Loughlinstown Training Centre has also recently attained Microsoft Trainer of Trainers status. This authorises the training centre to train and test the people who will themselves be delivering Microsoft courses.

I was impressed when informed that within this Region, two FAS Units, the Training Services Unit and the Finance & Administration Unit currently hold IQA and ISO accreditation. This is the kind of achievement of which FAS can be rightly proud, and I want to congratulate all the staff involved. It is planned that the Placement Services Unit will also achieve ISO accreditation in 1999. I would hope that others within FAS and, indeed, in the wider public service, would now follow the example set by these units.

In conclusion I would like to wish FAS Dublin South and Wicklow Region well in their work for 1999. I am confident that this year will be another successful year for the region and most importantly for FAS clients - be they first time job seekers, long term unemployed persons seeking to re-enter the labour market or employed persons seeking to improve their skills levels in our modern, competitive and expanding labour market environment.