O'Keeffe: We should be confident in FÁS

The Minister for Enterprise Batt O'Keeffe insists we should have confidence in State training agency, FÁS.

Mr O'Keeffe has been reacting to news that the group hasn't applied for European Social Funds in almost ten months.

It follows an EU audit last year after which the European Commission said it wanted a number of issues resolved before further funds were requested or paid.

It is understood the problem relates to training courses carried out by private operators.

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Bernard Allen has branded the development as "worrying".