asked the Minister for Labour the action he proposes to take regarding the termination of the social employment scheme as applied to the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork, County Cork.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Social Employment Scheme Project.
12.
A social employment scheme project started in the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork in 1986, with 14 participants, under the sponsorship of the City of Cork Vocational Education Committee. An application has been made for a 52 week extension to the project and this will be considered at the next meeting of the SES monitoring committee which will be held shortly.
The Deputy will appreciate that the application will have to be examined against the background of a large number of applications from other sponsors who have not yet benefited from the SES.
I am sure the Minister is aware of the benefits that have accrued to this gallery as a result of the application of this scheme. Valuable work has been carried out and I should like to ask the Minister to give recognition to the fact that it is essential that the work is continued. Will the Minister make a statement to that effect for the meeting that is taking place next week and bear it in mind when quotas for social employment schemes are being decided on next week? Will he communicate his views to the Manpower service in Cork?
I have examined this case and I am aware of the Deputy's interest in it. I agree that the work being carried out is beneficial. The issue will be further discussed when the committee meet next week or the week after. In the light of the increased participation levels announced in the budget, constraints will have to continue. However, there will be some extension. I will communicate the Deputy's views to the committee.
I must now move to questions nominated for priority.