Vol. 504 No. 5
45 Mr. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the consideration, if any, she will give to extending participation conditions in community employ ment training schemes to those people living in rural Ireland who out of necessity must now return to the work place, particularly women living in rural areas where there is a lack of suitable training places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12264/99]
87 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the consideration, if any, she will give to extending participation conditions in community employment training schemes to those people living in rural Ireland who out of necessity must now return to the work place particularly women living in rural areas where there is a lack of suitable training places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12354/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 87 together.
The community employment (CE) programme is designed to specifically target a particular severely disadvantaged group of unemployed people, i.e. those registered long-term unemployed whose principal or only source of income is an unemployment compensation payment or certain other social welfare means tested payments. These are the persons who are at most disadvantage in the labour market. This targeting maximises the availability of places by part-financing the programme from savings in social welfare payments.
In addition, social welfare recipients in receipt of a qualified adult allowance can swap their eligibility entitlement for community employment with that qualified adult allowance. Persons on the new farm assist scheme are eligible for participation in the community employment programme on the same basis as long-term unemployed persons.
All persons seeking to return to work or enter the workforce can avail of the FÁS employment service for assistance and support in getting a job. They can also participate in a return to work course, or other FÁS courses if places are available, if that is the appropriate course of action for the individual. In many rural areas where there is no training centre, FÁS utilises external training facilities to deliver training.
Under the P2000 agreement a working group composed of the social partners is examining the overall issue of women's access to labour market opportunities. I understand that the working group, which is chaired by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, is expected to report shortly.
