Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 6

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Richard Bruton

Question:

81 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the monthly profile of participation in community employment through 2002; and the expected monthly profile and monthly cost of the scheme provided in the Estimates. [23057/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey)

The total number of participants on community employment at the end of each month to date in 2002 is as follows:

January	30,218
February	29,963
March	29,830
April	29,351
May	28,246
June	27,718
July	27,430
August	26,861
September	25,760
October	24,560

It is estimated that approximately 25,000 persons will be participating on CE schemes at year end. A total of €274.738 million is being provided for CE under the 2003 Estimates, which will provide for an average participation rate of approximately 22,000 in 2003. The 2003 monthly profiles and cost will be calculated by FÁS following the budget day clarification on welfare benefits payable in 2003.

Richard Bruton

Question:

82 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the rate of payment to participants on community employment in 2002; and the rate of payment provided for in 2003. [23058/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey)

The following are the rates of payment to participants on community employment in 2002:

Participant Category (temporary-part-time)	Grant €
Participants without Dependants	143.20
Participants with Adult Dependant	222.00
Each Child Dependant (full-rate)	16.80
Each Child Dependant (half-rate)	8.40

The rates of payment for 2003 are not yet available, but they would normally increase in line with social welfare benefit.

Paddy McHugh

Question:

83 Mr. McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if, in assessment being made by community employment schemes, positive consideration will be given to participants from small rural communities where there is low income from farming and limited possibilities for alternative enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23059/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey)

FÁS, which has operational responsibility for the community employment programme, in assessing CE applications prioritises projects that provide good quality work experience and training to individual participants, taking into account the types of services provided and the levels of unemployment in the locality. In this context, FÁS has discretion to extend, on a case by case basis, an individual's term on CE, having regard to that individual's personal development needs and future employment prospects. In the case of people aged over 50 years the three year cap on participation has been removed where people in this age group, having spent three years on the programme, continue to experience difficulties in getting employment. For such participants FÁS may offer a further period on the programme on a case by case basis.

FÁS prioritises projects according to the types of services provided and levels of unemployment in the locality and co-ordinates reductions in CE places so as to minimise any 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. CE places in the health sector – which includes personal assistant services – are being maintained at the start of the year level to ensure continuity of the delivery of these services. Due consideration is also given by FÁS to the importance of the scheme in rural communities, where there may be limited opportunities for potential applicants to engage in training and/or employment.