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• Important information regarding Childcare Support for FÁS Learners
• From Monday 13th September 2010 FÁS will no longer pay a childcare contribution to learners who need childcare while on a training programme. However learners who are already participating on a training programme and in receipt of a childcare contribution will continue to receive this contribution until they finish the programme. For courses beginning on and after Monday 13th September 2010 free childcare places are available through the new Childcare Employment and Training Support (CETS) Scheme, which is provided and managed by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA). Full-time, part-time and after-school places will be provided by local Childcare Providers.
• August, 2010

• New Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme announced
• In June 2010 the Government announced a new Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) exemption scheme. The Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme means that when an employer employs additional eligible workers in 2010, they will not have to pay employer’s PRSI in respect of their employment for twelve months from the date.  
  
• August, 2010

• EXPERT GROUP PUBLISHES MONITORING IRELAND'S SKILLS SUPPLY
• The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs today (20th July, 2010) published its annual report on the supply of skills to the Irish labour market. The report, “Monitoring Ireland's Skills Supply: Trends in Education and Training Outputs”, highlights the increasing numbers of students entering and leaving the education and training system in Ireland. The report examines:
   The demographic profile of the school age population
   Junior and Leaving Cert trends
   Further education and training awards
   Higher education trends
   Where graduates go.
  
  Commenting on the report, Una Halligan, Chairperson of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs said: “For the first time in the Monitoring Ireland’s Skills Supply series, we have taken a closer look at where graduates go from higher education. The key finding for third level graduates aged between 25 and 34 is that even in the current economic climate, 85% of them with an honours bachelor degree and above are at work. The overwhelming message here is that further education creates opportunities”.
• July, 2010

• FÁS RELEASES LATEST QUARTERLY COMMENTARY
• • THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS FORECAST TO AVERAGE 13.4% IN 2010 BEFORE FALLING MODESTLY TO 13.1% IN 2011, ALTHOUGH THE LEVEL OF LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
  
  • AVERAGE EMPLOYMENT IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE FALLEN BY 87,000 THIS YEAR. A, FURTHER, SMALLER, FALL OF 22,000 IS EXPECTED FOR 2011.
  
  • VACANCIES NOTIFIED TO FÁS ARE UP 16% YEAR-TO-DATE, BUT STILL REMAIN LOW BY PRE-RECESSION STANDARDS. EQUALLY, REDUNDANCIES HAVE DROPPED FROM LAST YEAR BUT ARE STILL RELATIVELY HIGH COMPARED WITH 2008 AND EARLIER YEARS.
• July 2010

• Expert Group publishes update of Employment and Skills in Ireland
• The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) today published the 2010 update of the National Skills Bulletin, its annual review of employment and skills in Ireland. This year’s Bulletin confirms that during 2009 most labour market indicators deteriorated compared to 2008. However, the report also highlights that employment opportunities and some skill shortages continue to exist despite the recession.
• July 2010