asked the Minister for Labour the amount of money allocated to the social employment scheme in 1986; the amount of money spent to date; the estimated savings through statutory deductions and savings on social welfare payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.
237.
In 1986 £44.9 million was allocated for the social employment scheme. Up to the end of October a total of £30.6 million had been spent on the scheme.
Precise estimates of the savings on social welfare payments and receipts from statutory deductions are difficult to make because of the many imponderables involved. Some time ago, however, it was estimated that savings to the Exchequer in respect of social welfare payments together with receipts from income tax and PRSI amount to about £2.3 million annually per 1,000 participants compared with a gross cost of about £5.2 million.
The net cost of the scheme would also be reduced by the amount of any assistance received from the European Social Fund which will amount to a total of £4.2 million in 1986. Receipts from indirect taxation, calculated at 17.5 per cent of increased income, arising from the operation of the scheme would reduce the net cost of the social employment scheme further.
238.
asked the Minister for Labour when a decision will be made on the application of Monaghan County Council to retain employees under the social employment scheme.
The social employment scheme provides for up to 52 weeks of employment for each participant. Allowing persons who have completed their term of employment on the scheme to continue participating would be unfair to others who are anxious to participate and are awaiting vacancies. Priority is, therefore, given to persons who have not previously participated in the scheme.
I should point out, however, that consideration may be given to the re-employment of a limited number of participants where there are no other eligible persons available.
239.
asked the Minister for Labour the total amount of money allocated to Monaghan County Council for the social employment scheme; the period over which it is intended to allocate the moneys; and if the council will be in a position to expend all the moneys.
A proposal from Monaghan County Council under the social employment scheme was approved by my Department in August 1985 and a maximum grant of £3.34 million was allocated. The allocation of funding was based on the numbers of workers applied for — 600. Payment to sponsors is of course based on the numbers actually employed.
The project commenced operation in October 1985 with a workforce of 123 persons, and the NMS continued to recruit participants over the following months. Participation reached a maximum of 267 persons following an intensive recruitment drive by the local NMS.
To date the county council has been paid £1.1 million in respect of SES operations. The project has also been temporarily extended beyond the normal 52 weeks duration, to allow participants who have not completed their period of employment to do so.
Provided that the normal conditions of the scheme are met I will be prepared to consider further proposals from Monaghan County Council for work to be carried out under the scheme.