FAS, the state training and employment authority spent £439 million last year. Employment schemes and placement services, made up 67 per cent or £239 million of the total. Training schemes cost £135 million. Administration costs were £11.5 million, according to the FAS annual report for 1996.

State funding of £359 million, provided 82 per cent of the organisation's total income. Its other main source of money was EU grants which totalled £68 million last year.

The number of women taking part in FAS programmes continued to increase last year, up 4 per cent at 43 per cent, on 1995.