Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 7

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

70 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if any provision has been made for National Rehabilitation Board registered persons to participate in community employment schemes; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that these applicants are being told that there are no community employment schemes places available in Dublin; the number of National Rehabilitation Board registered persons who participated in community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11085/99]

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

Special provision has been made in the eligibility criteria for community employment whereby persons who are registered for six months or more with both the National Rehabilitation Board and FÁS can be referred by the NRB to FÁS for participation in a community employment project without fulfilling the normal eligibility criteria.

Funding has been provided to FÁS for an average of 37,500 community employment places nationwide during 1999. The allocation of community employment resources to individual areas and the actual number of NRB referrals participating in the programme would be operational matters for FÁS as part of their responsibilities under the Labour Services Act 1987 and not matters in which I have a function.