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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 5

Written Answers - Community Employment Schemes.

Noel Ahern

Question:

82 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will review eligibility for community employment schemes for people with disabilities who have completed three years of a community employment scheme but are physically and certifiably unable to engage in even part-time normal work. [11296/01]

Community employment, CE, is an active labour market programme whose primary role is to progress participants to jobs in the open labour market. The general terms and conditions relating to participation on CE have been reviewed and adjusted in the light of both the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure this Programme, and the recommendations contained in the subsequent P2000 report on facilitating women's access to labour market opportunities. I have no plans in the short-term to further amend the criteria pertaining to participation on the CE scheme.

The transfer of responsibility for the administration of employment services for people with disabilities to FÁS in June 2000 has opened up a wider range of options for people with disabilities. The supported employment programme, which I launched last year, is particularly beneficial to people who have previously had difficulty in engaging in open employment. The programme provides on the job supports to people with disabilities, through the use of job coaches, to assist their integration into employment. Persons interested in participating on the supported employment programme can contact any FÁS office for further details.
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