Vol. 562 No. 4
315 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Health and Children the degree of mainstreaming of community employment scheme positions which has occurred, or is intended to occur, with the health service; and the extent to which such new positions benefit people with physical disability and mobility difficulties. [6154/03]
The Government is very much aware of the important contribution that the community employment, CE, programme has made to the development of services for local communities over the years and the difficulties that now arise for sponsor organisations in the voluntary and community sector due to the reduction in the level of funding available for the programme. In this context, 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, the PPF-mandated review of active market labour programmes is being progressed under the aegis of the standing committee on the labour market, chaired by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. FÁS is also currently undertaking an internal review of CE and the job initiative programme which should be finalised shortly. The outcome of these various initiatives will inform the Government's consideration of options for the future delivery of community services and the appropriate levels of CE for the future.
Pending the outcome of the various reviews outlined above, the mainstreaming of CE scheme workers providing health services has not commenced.
Question No. 316 answered with Question No. 314.
