Vol. 520 No. 1
84 Mr. P. Carey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will allow older people, such as those close to or at 65 years of age, continue on community employment schemes if they wish to do so, with the approval of their sponsors, in view of the rapidly shrinking pool of suitable people to fill community employment schemes. [15230/00]
The primary purpose of community employment (CE) as an active labour market measure is to reintegrate long-term unemployed persons into open labour market jobs. Individuals get the opportunity to update their skills and gain a recent track record of work experience which will assist them in gaining employment in the open labour market. Depending on their age and employment status participants can remain on the programme for a period of up to three years.
Persons remain eligible for CE schemes until the upper age limit of 65 years, in accordance with the official retirement age. Community employment is an active labour market measure with a strong emphasis on progression to open labour market employment and is not intended to be a substitute for a job. It is intended that the operation of the programme will be kept under review in the light of changing market developments, including the age profile of labour supply.
