Vol. 555 No. 5
126 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the serious hardship being caused to community and sporting organisations arising from the reduction in community employment places; if she will consider establishing a new scheme to meet this essential demand in communities which would continue to be administered by FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18844/02]
In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure CE, participation levels are gradually being reduced reflecting the significant reduction in the numbers of the long-term unemployed, and the shift in emphasis away from work experience programmes to training, from which there is a greater level of progression to employment. The greater portion of the reductions in CE in 2002 will be due to restructuring, reflecting the drop in the level of the long-term unemployed, and budgetary constraints, together with a continuation of mainstreaming of CE schools services.
FÁS prioritises projects according to the types of services provided and levels of unemployment in the locality, and co-ordinates reductions so as to minimise the negative effects on groups and services most in need of CE. Drugs task force activity and child care service provision are ring-fenced from any reductions and projects in RAPID areas are given top priority.
FÁS is currently undertaking an internal review of CE, which will include an assessment of the role of the programme in regard to provision of community services. The PPF-mandated review of active labour market programmes is also being progressed under the aegis of the standing committee on the labour market, chaired by my Department. In addition, a cross-departmental, senior officials group has been asked to consider options for the future of CE and the provision of community services.
The outcome of these various initiatives will inform the Government's consideration of options for the future delivery of community services and appropriate levels of CE for the future.
