Michael Ring
Question:139 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will amend FÁS policy to ensure that people with disabilities are allowed to remain on FÁS schemes. [13558/01]
Written Answers - Community Employment Scheme.
Community employment 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 community employment 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. Per sons interested in participating on the supported employment programme can contact any FÁS office for further details.