Vol. 508 No. 4
98 Mr. Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has regarding cutbacks in community employment schemes; if these proposals have been agreed with the social partners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19207/99]
At the outset let me state that there is no change proposed in the agreed participation level of 37,500 on average over the current year. However, proposals for restructuring the CE programme were agreed by Government earlier this year. As a result of the restructuring process, which is aimed at securing better targeting and outcomes from the programme, there will be a reduction in the number of places on CE on a phased basis over a five year time frame, including through the transfer of resources equivalent to some 5000 CE places – about £40 million – to the social economy programme.
I have had consultations with the social partners and I hope I have reassured them on matters of concern to them. In particular, I have committed to further consultations on how best to allocate resources freed up by the restructuring of CE to meet the needs of the long-term unemployed, and on the proper funding or mainstreaming of essential services currently provided under CE.
