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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

58 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the precise arrangement for the assessment of local authority rents for community employment participants; if community employment participants are entitled to a reduction in their rent; if not the reason therefor; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the lack of support for participants who are local authority tenants is significantly impacting on the incentive to take up such employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12049/02]

When community employment, CE, was introduced in 1994, arrangements were put in place with the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the local authorities whereby there would be no increase in the differential rents of tenants in local authority housing due to the increase in income while participating on CE. I am not aware that the current arrangements act as a disincentive for unemployed persons who are local authority tenants to participate in CE.

As provided for under the PPF, an overall review of active labour market programmes will be undertaken by my Department in the near future under the aegis of the PPF standing committee on the labour market. The future policy direction of CE will be informed by the outcome of this process, including the elimination of any remaining disincentives to employment.

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