Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 1

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

123 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the value of community employment schemes as a first step for disabled people returning to work; the discussions, if any, she has had with the National Rehabilitation Board regarding the possible effect of any community employment restrictions on people with disabilities; if the number of community employment places for people with a disability will be maintained at its current level of 3,200 to ensure special consideration of these persons in any changes contemplated in the scheme or to provide an alternative on other programmes of equal value in the event of community employment restriction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19585/99]

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

Community employment is primarily a transitional programme to reintegrate long-term unemployed persons into open labour market jobs. The main criteria for the approval of CE projects is the support they provide for the re-integration of the participant back into the labour market. The need to support the re-integration of disabled persons is also taken into account here. There are no quota arrangements for the individual groups currently accessing the CE programme, and there is no proposal to introduce such an arrangement at present. However, it has always been the practice to accept, as immediately eligible for CE, persons with a disability who are certified by the NRB and to endeavour to place them on a suitable project as soon as possible. I do not anticipate any change in these arrangements either in the context of the restructuring of CE or of services for persons with a disability.