I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.
The primary purpose of the community employment, CE, and job initiative programmes is to provide long-term unemployed persons with the necessary skills and confidence to take up employment in the open labour market. Funding of €46 million has been provided for JI in 2003 which will provide for a year-end target rate of 2,200 and a small reduction of 325 places over the year. The funding allocation for the social economy programme has been increased to €30.836 million in 2003 from €20.55 million in 2002. This allocation will finance commitments made to enterprises approved to date.
In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure CE, participation levels are gradually being reduced in line with reduced levels of long-term unemployment and a strategic shift in policy in favour of training and other more appropriate supports. The average participation rate on the programme during 2003 is expected to be in the region of 22,000 with a projected year-end participation rate of 20,000. FÁS prioritises CE projects according to the types of services provided and levels of unemployment in the locality, and co-ordinate reductions in CE places so as to minimise any negative effects on groups and services most in need of the programme. Drugs task force activity and child care service provision are ring-fenced from any reductions and projects in RAPID areas are given top priority. CE places in the health sector, which includes personal assistant services, are being maintained at existing levels to ensure continuity of the delivery of these services.