Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:20 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of people who have left the live register and gone on community employment schemes. [8260/95]
Written Answers. - Community Employment Programme.
Peadar Clohessy
Question:21 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the impact, if any, the community employment programme is having on the numbers claiming social welfare; and if he will categorise participants in the community employment programme in terms of how long they have been in receipt of unemployment assistance with a view to determining if the social employment programme is meeting the needs of the short or long term unemployed. [10836/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
At the end of May 1995 there were 40,224 participants on community employment (CE), of whom 36,839 or 92 per cent approximately came from the live register. The following table gives a breakdown of community employment participants at the end of May in respect of each eligible category and also outlines the number who had been in receipt of a social welfare payment for more than 12 months prior to participating on the Programme:
|
Category |
Under 12 Months |
Over 12 Months |
Total |
|
UA |
10,830 |
21,599 |
32,429 |
|
UB |
— |
4,410 |
4,410 |
|
Lone Parents |
— |
2,372 |
2,372 |
|
Referred by the National Rehabilitation Board |
1,013 |
||
|
Total community employment participants |
40,224 |
In view of the popularity of community employment among long term unemployed people, at whom the programme is primarily targeted, I am satisfied that the programme is meeting its objective.