Vol. 426 No. 3
43 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will sanction a further term on a social employment scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin as it is clear that the person employed is providing a skilled service to the community which could not be done by a replacement except through elaborate training which might jeopardize the viability of the community project in question.
The purpose of the social employment scheme is to give as many long term unemployed as possible opportunities to become involved in a work related situation on a part-time basis for one year.
The numbers seeking participation in the scheme usually exceed the number of places available due to the limited funds available. I am, accordingly, very conscious that extending one person's period on the scheme would be at the expense of someone else awaiting an opportunity to participate in it.
