asked the Minister for Labour the number of schemes at present in progress under the youth community projects; and the number of persons employed in each.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Youth Community Projects.
34.
There are 37 projects in progress at present. The numbers engaged on individual projects can vary from four to 30.
The Minister has not answered the question. I asked for the number of persons employed on each project. The Minister has said that this can vary from four to 30 but that is not an answer to the question.
I have given the number of schemes and have told the Deputy that the number employed in each varies from four to 30.
What is the total number?
About 332.
That is an average of about nine per project.
It varies from a low of four to 30.
How many of those people are employed in the Dublin area?
I think there are two projects in the Dublin area.
How many people are employed on those projects in this area?
So far as I know the number is not more than 40.
Thirteen might be nearer the mark.
As the Deputy is aware there has been some difficulty in the Dublin area in the expansion of the projects. This arises from the situation whereby each one of these projects has to be agreed with the trade union authorities. Schemes are prepared on the basis that craftsmen will not be ruled out, that there will be no loss of work opportunities for any such trade union people who may be unemployed. This has involved consultation with the building groups in the ICTU and with the training authority and before each project gets off the ground it must be agreed in consultation with these interests.
Mr. Kitt
Can the Minister say what is involved in the majority of these projects?
The requirements are that materials for work involved be provided by local authorities, community organisations or church bodies and the projects may be sponsored by any of these organisations with a community objective. Organisations putting forward projects for consideration must provide AnCO with details which show that the materials involved can be provided, that the project is part of a community effort and that the work cannot be undertaken by using normal employer-employee practice. There must be consultation with unemployed workers in the area.
Can the Minister say how the figure of 332 compares with his forecast earlier this year of the figure of approximately 2,000?
My figure was not 2,000 but 1,000.
What has been achieved is less than half that figure. As usual we have a disgraceful performance.
If the Deputy would look at the details of programmes he would realise that sometimes it is very difficult to reach targets. In relation to the premium employment programme I set a target which was roughly double that which was achieved. In the area we are talking of we are faced with one serious difficulty, that is, the necessity of consulting with union organisations in the area in which we wish to see projects expanding. Certain difficulties have arisen in the Dublin area. We are endeavouring to overcome these but they may result in targets not being met. The difficulties arise from the legitimate objections of unemployed craftsmen who claim that work would be lost to them as a result of the projects.
In the interest of accuracy——
We have dwelt for long enough on this question. We must move on to Question No. 35.
——would the Minister repeat his reference to the premium employment programme?
While the target set was 10,000, we succeeded in achieving a figure of about 5,500. As the Deputy knows this programme depended for success on employer and business confidence and on the state of the market. As a result of these factors we did not reach our target. However, this does not mean that at any time we should fail to set targets or try to have them achieved but when targets are not achieved we should be accurate in giving the reasons for the failure.