asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is an embargo on further recruitment into the social employment scheme which has discriminated against local authorities and will now lead to short-time working for full time staff in the latter even though there are many long-term unemployed prepared to participate in the projects; and if he will ask the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Social Welfare to switch appropriated funds since the State contribution to present participants is as low as £8.05 per week for workers.
Written Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.
157.
As I said in the Dáil last week in reply to a previous question on the social employment scheme, I am aware that FÁS have had to defer applications in order to remain within their allocation for the year. I understand this means that recruitment to both new and existing schemes has been temporarily restricted.
There has been no discrimination by FÁS against local authorities as the restrictions apply equally to all categories of sponsors. I should point out that local authorities are the largest employers under the scheme, employing about 54 per cent of participants. The implications for employment with the local authorities are a matter for the authorities and my colleague, the Minister for the Environment.
Because of the value of the scheme to the long term unemployed, I am urgently reviewing the funding situation.