Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 7

Written Answers. - Participation in Employment Initiatives.

Robert Molloy

Question:

103 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the position regarding the application made by Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann to his Department for participation by the islands in the New Opportunities for Women and Horizon Disadvantaged EU Employment Initiatives. [10018/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann has made application to my Department under Employment-Horizon (Disadvantaged) and Employment-NOW.

There has been a very high level of interest in the employment initiative and this is reflected in the volume of applications which have been received. Each application will now be assessed in detail by reference to the eligibility criteria which apply to these programmes. As 196 proposals have been received under the Horizon (Disadvantaged) strand and 205 under the NOW strand of the employment initiative alone, their assessment will take some time to complete. The intention is to have the review of all applications completed by the end of June at which time all those who have made application will be notified of the outcome.

The employment initiative will be operational in the period to the end of 1999. Pilot projects to be approved this year will be part-funded up to the end of 1997. In the course of 1997, applications will be sought for the part-funding of projects to operate up to the end of 1999. Accordingly, a further opportunity to apply will exist for those promoters whose applications are not successful on this occasion.