Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 158, 213, 220, 234, 255 and 262 together.
Under the terms of the pilot programme for the employment of people with disabilities, as approved by Government, the operation of the scheme is to be reviewed in the third year of its operation, 1996, before decisions on its future can be taken. The programme is overseen by an InterDepartmental Monitoring Committee of the Programme. The review, which includes the Rehab Recycling Partnership, is currently being carried out by the monitoring committee and will be completed later this year. The review will examine the achievement of targets set for projects in the existing programme and will include recommendations about a new programme.
At present the monitoring committee is seeking tenders from management consultants to conduct the evaluation in time for a decision to be made by Government on the future of the programme, including the existing companies, prior to the end of 1996. All participants with a disability on the pilot programme are entitled to retain their medical card and secondary benefits for three years or until the end of the current programme.