Vol. 435 No. 3
»
Debates
»
Find a debate
»
Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 2 Nov 1993
»
Written Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.
57 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether a person who is unemployed, but who is not receiving unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance on the basis of his wife's means, is ineligible for consideration for a FÁS social employment scheme; his views on whether this is fair; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Social Employment Scheme is the principal manpower intervention aimed at providing opportunities for persons aged 25 years or over who are in receipt of unemployment benefit for at least 12 months or are in receipt of unemployment assistance. Only persons who satisfy these criteria can participate. The demand from such persons for places on the scheme exceeds the number of places available overall.
The Deputy will appreciate that, with limited resources, it is not possible to provide social employment scheme opportunities for all unemployed persons.
I have no plans, at present, to alter the eligibility criteria for the scheme.
