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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 2

Written Answers. - FÁS Schemes.

Dick Spring

Question:

152 Mr. Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will consider a change in the regulations for FÁS schemes caring for the elderly in rural areas to allow for the same carer to remain with each individual to ensure a continuity of care. [26359/01]

The primary purpose of the community employment programme is to reintegrate long-term unemployed persons into employment in the open labour market. Through CE, participants are provided with valuable opportunities for development and training. Participation is usually for a period of one to three years depending on the individuals' unem ployment record and age when commencing on the programme.

In line with a commitment in the PPF, and following consultations with relevant Departments and the social partners, certain services currently provided by participants on CE are being mainstreamed. This process involves the transfer of CE funding for specific services to other Departments with functional responsibility for these services. The short-term nature of participation on CE is not compatible with the needs of certain sectors of the community, including personal assistant services where a continuity of care is required. The proposed mainstreaming would have positive implications for the provision of these services in the future in terms of creating more permanent funding conditions for their delivery.

The Department of Health and Children, which has primary responsibility for funding in this area, is supportive of the proposal in principle, and the two Departments, in consultation with FÁS, are now looking at the modalities involved. I hope that these discussions can be completed as soon as possible enabling the proposed new funding arrangements to be put in place by Department of Health and Children at an early date.

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