Vol. 516 No. 5
128 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the implications for the voluntary and community sector, supported by the community development programme, of the criteria for social economy jobs recently published by the Government. [6118/00]
On foot of the Government decision in July 1999 to introduce a dedicated social economy programme, a national monitoring committee representative of relevant Departments and the social partners was established. At its meeting on 28 February 2000 the committee finalised the framework for the establishment of the social economy.
The next step is the establishment by FÁS of local working groups to ensure the principle of partnership between statutory bodies, the social partners and local community/voluntary interests. The local working groups will oversee the operation of the social economy programme at local level.
One of the objectives of the programme is to regenerate both urban and rural communities by providing urgently needed local services, employment opportunities and experience for people who have been distanced from the labour market. Community and voluntary groups will be able to apply for funding to establish local social economy enterprises under the programme. Applications will be submitted to the local FÁS office and will be vetted by the local working group in each area.
