An over-reliance on "quick-fix" solutions generated by Fás may have inhibited efforts for effective reform of Ireland's education and social systems over the last 20 years, according to a report by an American political scientist, writes James Fitzgerald.
But in an era where "fiscally anorexic" governments were trying to create a motivated and skilled labour force, the report says that Fás became the "Swiss army knife of the Irish State: a highly flexible, multifunctional instrument used to address a myriad of policy problems from high-tech skill shortages to functional illiteracy".
Fás and Active Labour Market Policy, 1985-2004, by Nigel Boyle, points out that, despite heavy criticism from opponents within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and other quarters, Fás has emerged largely unscathed, and enjoys strong support.
Its relatively low costs have also made it a hit with the Department of Finance and Brussels, on which it depends for funding.
Mr Boyle concludes his institutional analysis by claiming that in the absence of a dramatic "retooling" by the State, Fás provides an effective, if not optimal, means of addressing policy problems.
Killed by fumes of generator
A 28-year-old Dundalk man died yesterday after being overcome by fumes from a generator that was running in the back of a van. Attempts were made by emergency medical technicians to resuscitate Emmet McGorman at the scene, but he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Antrim accident leaves one dead
A man died yesterday following a traffic accident. It involved a head-on collision between a car and a school bus near the village of Doagh in Co Antrim.
RTÉ short story competition
The winners of the RTÉ Radio 1 Francis Mac Manus Short Story Competition 2004 were announced last night at a ceremony in RTÉ Radio Centre.
The first prize, consisting of a Waterford Crystal trophy and a cheque for €3,000, was presented to Martin Malone, of Kildare town, for his short story The Mango War.
Second prize went to Walking Toby by Geraldine Mills, Rosscahill, Co Galway.
The third prizewinning entry receiving €1,000 was Glimpse by James Moynihan, Kanturk, Co Cork.
The adjudication panel, under the chairmanship of Séamus Hosey, senior producer, RTÉ Radio 1, included novelist, playwright and critic Colm Tóibín, short story writer and novelist Anne Enright and novelist, playwright and editor Dermot Bolger.
The 2004 competition attracted more than 700 entries from all over Ireland and from Irish people living abroad.
All of these stories will be broadcast over coming months.