Vol. 542 No. 5
167 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will re-examine the negative impact of her decision to discontinue the FÁS community employment schemes in schools and the transfer to the Department of Education and Science of the responsibility for the employment of caretakers, cleaning staff and secretarial staff. [24893/01]
In line with a commitment in the PPF, and following consultations with relevant Departments and the social partners, certain essential services currently provided by participants on community employment, CE, are being mainstreamed. The mainstreaming involves the transfer of CE funding for schools services such as secretaries, caretakers and classroom assistants to the Department of Education and Science. After an appropriate transition period to allow participants work out their contracts in schools, such services will be solely the responsibility of that Department. Arising from these changes, an additional £46 million is to be made directly available to schools on an annual basis, phased in by 2003, for the purposes of providing replacement services in schools. It is envisaged that this additional funding will enable schools to substantially improve the level of secretarial and caretaking supports that are currently in place and will provide opportunities for employment for CE participants and other long-term unemployed persons. CE participants currently working in schools will be facilitated in completing their full engagement in their school project, which for some participants may be for a period of up to three years.
I consider the phased reductions in the numbers employed on CE as set out in the PPF, and the reductions that will result from the mainstreaming of schools and certain other CE services to be appropriate. Every effort will be made to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements.
