Vol. 560 No. 3
191 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her Department will consult the Department of Social and Family Affairs to transfer the funding of resource centres to that Department rather than through her Department, or through the State agency FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2711/03]
In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure community employment, 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 average 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.
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 ringfenced 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 existing levels to ensure continuity of the delivery of these services.
In line with a commitment in the PPF and following consultations with relevant Departments and the social partners, certain essential services currently provided by participants on CE are being mainstreamed. The mainstreaming of schools services currently under way provides for additional funding of €58,407,951 to transfer, on a phased basis, to the Department of Education and Science. The availability of this funding has enabled that Department to put in place an equitable system of funding for ancillary services throughout the free education school system. Consideration is also being given by my Department, the Department of Health and Children, health boards and FÁS to possible mainstreaming of certain health related services. I have no plans for further mainstreaming or transfers of CE funding at this time.
A cross-departmental senior officials group has been asked to consider options for the future of CE, taking account of the link with the provision of community services. In addition, FÁS has undertaken an internal review of the CE and job initiative programmes, which is due to be concluded shortly. An overall appraisal of active labour market programmes is also being progressed by the standing committee on the labour market. The outcome of these deliberations will help to inform the Government's consideration of options for the future of CE and the provision of community services.
