€6.7m Fás college took in just 12 trainees

JUST 12 trainees have completed courses at a €6.7m Fás college which opened at the start of the year, prompting the Dáil’s Public Accounts watchdog (PAC) to launch an investigation.

The state employment agency, which has already come under fire due to rampant overspending and the severance deal paid to its former director general Rody Molloy, confirmed the Mount Lucas centre in Offaly has only taken in 12 students so far for courses which run for a maximum of 12 weeks.

The centre, which is based on 33 acres a few miles outside Tullamore in Co Offaly, has no access to public transport. The moratorium on public sector hiring means there is only one lecturer working in the facility.