Richard Bruton
Question:83 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps being taken to mitigate the loss of community employment schemes in schools. [17001/00]
Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.
Community employment is a temporary work experience programme whose primary role is to assist the progression of participants into jobs and/or further education and training.
The current restructuring of CE, which was decided by the Government in 1999 in consultation with the social partners, involves a phased reduction in the number of participants engaged on CE to 28,000 in 2003. In this context it is necessary for FÁS, as the operational agency for the programme, including project selection and the allocation of places, to prioritise projects according to needs. Priority in particular is currently being given by FÁS to "caring/support" projects based in the community and voluntary sector, including child care, care of the elderly and disabled persons and drugs task force projects.
On the matter of services currently being delivered through CE to the education sector, my Department, in the context of the commitment under section 4.2.4 of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, is engaged in ongoing discussions with the Department of Education and Science with a view to determining the potential to mainstream such services. The outcome of these discussions will be considered by the social partners through the PPF standing committee on the labour market.
It is worth noting in the above context that the Department of Education and Science is providing additionalper capita grants to national schools in respect of secretarial and caretaking services during 2000, and that all schools will receive a grant in respect of secretarial and caretaking assistance by 2001.