Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 4

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Liam Aylward

Question:

84 Mr. Aylward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of school managers of the recent report that it is intended to reduce drastically the numbers participating on community employment schemes in 1999; and the steps, if any, she will take to ensure that there is no reduction in the numbers involved in view of the positive results achieved by participants on this particular scheme. [20116/98]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The Deputy is referring to the independent review of the community employment programme, CE, carried out by consultants Deloitte & Touche to examine if CE is working effectively as a labour market programme to enhance the chances of participants and if CE in its current manifestation is the best way of targeting our investment in tackling long-term unemployment and social exclusion.

Deloitte & Touche reported to my Department in September and I immediately arranged for publication of the review and its circulation to stakeholders as I know there is a great deal of interest in the review and the package of recommendations it proposes.

On the specific issue raised by the Deputy, the utilisation of CE by statutory bodies, the review found market linkages in this area to be weak with few of the participants finding equivalent work subsequently. For that reason the review recommended the gradual phasing out of CE places in the statutory sector with the onus for delivery of the relevant service resting with the appropriate Department. Commenting on the education sector the review describes the work being done on community employment as "very valuable but the question is whether these supports should in fact be provided directly by the Department of Education and Science". Any proposals I bring forward to amend the community employment programme will reflect a process of consultation with the social partners and with ministerial colleagues who have a departmental interest in this area.