Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 2

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Noel Ahern

Question:

92 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the situation in relation to the right of married women returning to the work force to qualify for community employment schemes; the progress in this regard, particularly in relation to committees and working groups set up to examine this matter; if she will now give approval for a maximum of up to two years for women to take such community employment schemes or categories of community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2609/01]

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

The general terms and conditions relating to participation on community employment, CE, have been reviewed and adjusted in the light of the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure this programme and the recommendations contained in the subsequent Partnership 2000 report on facilitating women's access to labour market opportunities.

In this context eligibility for CE has been extended to adult dependants of long-term unemployed persons – qualified adults – widows-widowers, persons in receipt of deserted wife's' benefit and persons previously in receipt of the carer's allowance for a minimum of 12 months who meet the general criteria for participation on the programme.

A married woman over 35 years of age who has been a dependant of an unemployed person who is also over 35 years and in receipt of unemployment assistance or unemployment benefit for three years is eligible to participate on CE for a total of up to three years. Over 50% of participants in CE are female.