asked the Minister for Labour the savings in 1987 occurring from the reduction in the allowance payable under the social employment scheme; and the number of people who received the lower rate.
Written Answers. - Social Employment Schemes.
26.
The savings in 1987 occurring from the reduction of the allowance payable to persons without adult dependants under the social employment scheme are estimated at £1.5 million. The allowance for participants with an adult dependant was not reduced.
These savings, together with a further amount of £3 million allocated to the scheme from savings elsewhere in my Department, enabled an additional 1,500 people to participate in the scheme in 1987.
FÁS's best estimate is that to date some 6,000 persons have entered the scheme at the revised rate. A more accurate estimate would require an inordinate amount of staff time and resources and could not be justified in present circumstances.
27.
asked the Minister for Labour if the social employment schemes which were temporarily stopped could be reactivated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am taking it that the Deputy is referring to the involvement of local authorities in the social employment scheme. The position is that there is an agreement with ICTU that all projects under the SES go for approval to a monitoring committee representative of ICTU, the Department of the Environment and FÁS. ICTU are reluctant to approve projects for local authorities which lay off permanent staff.
I discussed this matter with ICTU representatives very recently and a number of suggestions were put forward to alleviate the problem. I am considering these suggestions at present and I propose discussing the matter again with ICTU in due course.