Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has apologised to 5,900 construction workers for a delay in receiving monies from the European Globalisation Fund for the purpose of retraining.
He said they were the "victims of mal-administration'' by the previous government.
Mr Quinn said all persons eligible for new supports would be contacted next month.
The minister was responding to the issue raised by Sinn Féin Deputy Pearse Doherty during the Topical Issues Debates.
Deputy Doherty described the administration of the €55m fund as ''an absolute shambles''.
He said some workers had been waiting 17 months for approval.
A significant amount of the fund was now in jeopardy, he said, as monies must be used within 24 months of the initial application.
