asked the Minister for Labour the present policy on the continuance of the Teamwork schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Teamwork Schemes.
13.
The financial provision for Teamwork in 1988 would have allowed an activity level of about 1,142 man years. Additional funding has been approved recently for the scheme and this will enable additional projects to be approved this year.
The provision for Teamwork in the 1989 Estimates will allow the programme to operate at the level originally proposed for 1988.
The Minister may be aware of a problem experienced by a number of otherwise successful Teamwork schemes where workers who left the scheme to take up full time employment cannot be replaced. Is it the Minister's view that this embargo will continue, or will he authorise the replacement of workers in these circumstances?
The detail for any particular scheme would be for FÁS to decide. Since the Deputy put down the question the schemes which had been delayed during September and October were approved by the monitoring group. That was ten days ago.
If the Minister is talking about the scheme in Dublin Central, they have already been contacted.
In the last forthnight 500 additional places were approved, which probably covered the schemes the Deputy is concerned about.
Maybe I did not understand the Minister, but will he tell me what happens where a scheme is already in existence and has been successful, but a number of workers have left? Is the Minister saying that the embargo has been lifted and that it is possible to replace those people in the schemes?
The resources for 1988 had been exhausted and the monitoring committee had cleared approximately 500 approved positions but there were no resources to fill them. Through other savings in the Department of Labour, money has been diverted to Teamwork and these 500 places have been filled. I cannot give an answer about an individual scheme because it may not have been cleared by the monitoring group, but if the monitoring group have cleared it, they will have been advised within the last ten days or so.
What percentage of the total number of applications for Teamwork places has the Minister been able to meet?
This is a matter for FÁS. All the schemes approved by the monitoring group for 1988 have been filled.
Will the Minister confirm that Teamwork will not interrupt the long term nature of a person's unemployment, for purposes of Chrístmas bonus and the free fuel allowance?
The Deputy is extending the question into another area.
The criteria for the benefits for Christmas bonuses and so on are laid down and if the Deputy wishes to have a copy I can let him have one.