Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Phil Hogan

Question:

191 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will investigate the amount of finance owed to community groups arising from various schemes administrated by FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1739/03]

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

From inquiries I have made with FÁS I am advised that it is not aware of any particular problems being experienced in this area. If there are concerns relating to specific schemes or groups I will be happy to refer any such concerns to FÁS for examination.

Phil Hogan

Question:

192 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action that she intends to take to ensure that lone parents and people with disabilities continue to participate in community employment schemes and other schemes that are administrated by FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1740/03]

Bernard Allen

Question:

197 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason participants in the community employment schemes are being laid off without notice. [2068/03]

Bernard Allen

Question:

198 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason participants aged 50 are being laid off community employment schemes in view of assurances given that those over 50 who, because of their age find it difficult to get alternative work, would not be laid off community employment schemes. [2069/03]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 192, 197 and 198 together.

The primary purpose of the community employment programme is to provide long-term unemployed persons with the necessary skills and confidence to take up employment in the open labour market. In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure CE, participation levels are gradually being reduced in line with reduced levels of long-term unemployment and a strategic shift in policy in favour of training and other more appropriate supports. The aver age participation rate on CE in 2003 is expected to be in the region of 22,000, with a projected year-end participation rate of 20,000.

An overall appraisal of active labour market programmes is currently under way under the aegis of the PPF standing committee on the labour market. A key element of this appraisal will be ascertaining the scope for re-orienting such programmes to more effectively target the needs of disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, lone parents, older persons and persons with disabilities. FÁS is also currently undertaking an internal review of community employment and the job initiative programmes and the outcome of this process will feed into the deliberations of the standing committee.

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. A maximum of 20% of the overall number of participants on the CE programme may avail of extensions at any one time.

Participation on CE is usually for a period of one to three years, based on an annual renewable contract. CE participants are entitled to receive minimum notice in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973 to 2001. Disputes regarding length of notice or right to notice can be referred to the employment appeals tribunal for investigation and decision on the matter.