54 Mr. L. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific provisions that her Department is providing to assist women working in the home to return to the workplace on either a full-time or part-time basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21651/00]

78 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific provisions he is making to retrain women working in the home to assist their return to work on either a full or part-time basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21652/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 78 together.

FÁS provides return to work training for women wishing to return to the workplace after an absence due to caring responsibilities. This is initial preparatory training, which provides personal development, career planning and skills sampling opportunities. Programmes are provided on both a part-time and full-time basis. A total of 1,475 women completed such training in 1999. Many of the women who complete such training go directly into employment while others go on to undertake further specific skills training.