Vol. 415 No. 8
284 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if there is a proposal by the European Community to undertake a study visit to Ireland to examine the current basis for funding from the Social Fund of sheltered workshops; and if he will indicate the extent of the level of funding for the provision of sheltered workshop places in Ireland from European sources.
287 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if there is a proposal by the European Community to undertake a study visit to Ireland to examine the current basis for funding from the Social Fund of sheltered workshops; and if he will outline the extent of the level of funding for the provision of sheltered workshop places in Ireland from European sources.
I propose taking Questions Nos. 284 and 287 together.
The European Social fund only provides financial assistance to vocational training programmes which are aimed at training disabled persons for open employment. It does not aid sheltered work programmes or the training of people with disabilities for sheltered employment. ESF aid in respect of Ireland's operational programme for the vocational training of people with disabilities amounted to £24.92 million in 1991.
As part of the routine monitoring of EC assisted programmes, officials of the EC Commission will visit Ireland between 30 March and 3 April 1992 in connection with the operational programme for people with disabilities.
A Community wide evaluation of ESF assisted programmes for people with disabilities is also currently being undertaken in all member states. This evaluation which is being undertaken in Ireland by the Economic and Social Research Institute on behalf of the EC Commission, is aimed at measuring the impact of ESF actions on the general situation of people with disabilities in the labour market and at facilitating the selection of appropriate measures for development under co-financed programmes.
