Michael Ring
Question:55 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding which remains to be allocated in 1997 in respect of the employment support scheme. [12048/97]
Written Answers - Employment Support Scheme.
Limerick East): In 1997 I allocated an additional £100,000 to the employment support scheme bringing the allocation this year to £1,066,000. This funding represents the full year's cost of maintaining the current number of participants on the scheme. Some £300,000 has been paid up to the end of March. I am currently examining ways of making the scheme more accessible so as to meet the commitment set out in Partnership 2000 to increase the numbers employed under the scheme.