Vol. 514 No. 1
90 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she has for the future of the community employment scheme in view of the recently concluded draft national agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3497/00]
96 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress, if any, being made to resolve outstanding disagreements between her Department and social partners over her proposed restructuring of the community employment programme. [3359/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 96 together.
Late last year I met with representatives of the social partners to clarify the Government's decision on the restructuring of the community employment programme. Following these meetings a set of clear implementation guidelines was adopted which is currently being introduced on a phased basis by FÁS. These guidelines are: the eligibility age for participation has been raised from 21 years to 25 years with effect from 1 January 2000. The following exemptions will apply for persons under 25 years of age: Travellers, ex-offenders, refugees, people with disabilities, people referred under drugs task force offshore island inhabitants, 18-24 year olds referred through EAP who are 18 months or more unemployed; duration of participant breaks between schemes to be increased from six to 12 months with effect from 3 April 2000, offshore island residents will be exempt from this change; future participation by an individual will be capped at three years with effect from 3 April 2000, an individual's previous participation on the programme will not be taken into account, offshore island residents will be exempt from this change; the number of places on the programme will be reduced over a five year period to 28,000; there will be synchronisation to the greatest degree possible between the introduction of the new social economy programme and reductions of community employment places; eligibility to participate in the programme has been extended to qualified adults and widows-widower's with effect from 15 September 1999.
In addition the new programme for prosperity and fairness makes specific provision in regard to community employment as follows: a special working group, comprising the social partners and representatives of Government Departments, will be established early in 2000 to identify the key essential services currently being provided through CE; and assess the implications of those services for CE in terms of : budget; number of places; having regard to the planned reduction of 4,500 places, as per the Government decision; and the objectives of community employment, including the provision of community services.
The findings of the special working group will be considered by Government. I can assure the Deputies that my Department will participate fully and constructively in these discussions in order that any issues arising can be resolved as soon as possible.
