Vol. 428 No. 6
27 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he intends to extend the availability of retraining programmes for the unemployed on a national level in an attempt to open up opportunities for the long term unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The level of Exchequer and EC funding available this year will enable FÁS to provide training and retraining for about 14,500 people, the majority of whom will be drawn from the ranks of the unemployed including the long term unemployed. The Deputy will, however, be aware that the primary manpower intervention to help persons who are long term unemployed is the Social Employment Scheme/Community Employment Development Programme. The Government has made £83.811 million available for the SES/CEDP this year which will provide an average participation level of about 13,500, as against the corresponding 1992 figure of 12,000. Subject to the scheme being eligible for European Community funding under the Community Support Framework for 1994-1999 and to the general budgetary position, it may prove possible to increase the participation levels still further from next year. In addition, the Deputy will be aware that the area based strategy to combat long term unemployment is operating in 12 designated areas. The operation of the strategy will be evaluated to assess its effectiveness in assisting persons who are long term unemployed.
