212 Mr. Cullimore asked the Minister for Labour the present position regarding FÁS offices in various European countries; their success, if any, in employment creation; and if he intends to extend these offices to other non-European countries.

FÁS has not established offices in Europe, rather it has arranged for three officials to be placed recently in the Dutch and German employment services. This development is in furtherance of EC Regulation No. 1612/68 on the free movement of workers and follows agreements between FÁS and their Dutch and German counterparts. The objective is to assist Irish people obtain employment in either country and to benefit fully from the EC free movement of workers programme.

It is too early to evaluate the success of this development. There are no plans to extend this initiative to countries outside the EC. Specific details on the operation of the agreements concluded between FÁS and their Dutch and German counterparts are a day-to-day matter for FÁS.