Vol. 495 No. 5
72 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the important services which have been curtailed due to the embargo on community employment places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20797/98]
73 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her decision to impose an embargo on places in community employment schemes has had a detrimental impact on the work undertaken by a community group (details supplied) in Dublin 12 where they have been forced to close a playschool. [20799/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
There has not been any embargo on the filling of community employment places. FÁS is currently implementing the rate for the job option of community employment. While certain designated schemes were changing over some community employment schemes were asked to delay recruitment for their current vacancies for a couple of weeks. This included the scheme to which the Deputy referred which had eight vacancies at the time of the schemes rollover on 12 October 1998. While these vacancies were being filled the scheme did not operate for two days.
