Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 5

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Jim Higgins

Question:

31 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will recommend to FÁS that the National Rehabilitation Board referrals on FÁS community employment schemes should be automatically entitled to places on the schemes where these places are available and should not be subject to the FÁS regulations governing the number of participants who should be drawn from the nominal workforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14165/99]

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

Recruitment of individuals to community employment is a matter in the final instance for project sponsors. The only stipulation on the part of FÁS is that individuals should be eligible to participate but whether that eligibility is derived from being long-term unemployed or on foot of an NRB referral is immaterial. FÁS can and does refer eligible persons to sponsors for consideration but within the constraints of eligibility and availability of places the sponsor selects the participant.