Vol. 548 No. 2
88 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding people who are separated and in receipt of maintenance payments who wish to partake in a FÁS community employment scheme; the criteria for participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4326/02]
Eligibility criteria for community employment, CE, is focused on long-term unemployed persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments. The general terms and conditions relating to participation on 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 P2000 report on facilitating women's access to labour market opportunities. In this context, eligibility for CE has been extended to adult dependents of long-term unemployed persons – qualified adults, widows-widowers, persons in receipt of deserted wives benefit, and persons previously in receipt of carers allowance for a minimum of 12 months, who meet the general criteria for participation on the programme. Separated persons in receipt of maintenance payments are not currently eligible to participate in the programme.
