Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Ivan Yates

Question:

111 Mr. Yates asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the latest review of the rules for women participating in community employment schemes included those in receipt of deserted wife's allowance. [10675/00]

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

The community employment (CE) programme is targeted at the long-term unemployed. CE is a very popular programme and limited resources do not make it possible to provide places for all unemployed persons. Therefore, it is essential to target the programme at those most in need, namely the long-term unemployed over 25 years.

Currently, persons in receipt of unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit, one parent family payment, widow's and widower's pension and persons classified as qualified adults of long-term unemployed persons, are eligible to participate in CE in their own right. In order to satisfy the eligibility criteria, persons with children who are in receipt of deserted wives benefit, DWB, can apply to transfer to OPFP in order to become eligible to participate in CE. DWB recipients without children are not eligible to participate in the programme.

All unemployed people, including married women who wish to return to the workforce, including persons on DWB, are eligible to partici pate in FÁS mainstream training/specific skills training programmes.

The general terms and conditions relating to participation on CE were reviewed and adjusted last year in the light of a major evaluation undertaken of the programme, and I have no plans in the short-term to make any further adjustments.