asked the Minister for Labour if he will change the regulations to enable persons who otherwise qualify for unemployment assistance, but sign for credits due to a means test, qualify for FÁS schemes.
Written Answers. - FÁS Scheme Eligibility.
89.
Of the five FÁS employment schemes two — the employment incentive scheme and the community enterprise programme — allow for participation by persons who are registered as unemployed and signing for credits.
The remaining three employment schemes — the social employment scheme, teamwork and enterprise—are operated on the basis that they are, largely, self-financing. For this reason these schemes are targeted at persons who are registered as unemployment and in receipt of either unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit. The costs associated with the schemes are, therefore, offset by savings on social welfare payments.
Persons who are signing on for credits are not in receipt of either unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit. Participation by such persons would, therefore, increase overall Exchequer costs and result in a reduction in the numbers who could be assisted within a given level of State expenditure. I do not intend, therefore, to make any changes in the current regulations.