Two private contractors who provided courses for FÁS have been referred to the gardaí for possible fraud.
FÁS Director General Paul O'Toole also confirmed today that 230 people are awaiting certificates in the north east for more than a year.
157 of these are due to receive their certificates in the coming weeks but Mr O'Toole described the situation as unacceptable.
However, these cases are not included in a review of courses run by private contractors for FÁS today.
The review found that in 14% of private-run courses, participants had to re-sit their exams or be retrained or have their results reassessed.
Of the 718 learners affected, the results stood for 526.
The review also found that in three courses run by two contractors, there was serious manipulation of results and inappropriate assistance to students.
Five other unacceptable cases outside the review have also been identified.
The problems were identified across four regions.
Reacting to this afternoon's report, Tanáiste Mary Coughlan said that it related to courses run by the private sector and issues did arise which are of some concern.
However, she added that it is important to reassure people that for the majority of those who undertake courses there are no issues and where there has been an issue it has been attended to.
She said that a new board has been set up, new structures put in place and a new strategic plan will be brought forward, which will ‘really focus on where FÁS needs to have its focus and the new frameworks that have been set down will achieve the quality and assurance that is necessary for anyone attending a course.’
