Dan Neville
Question:164 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the outcome of the internal review on community employment schemes which were due to report to Government in November 2002. [14366/03]
Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.
A number of reviews of community employment are currently under way. The PPF provides for an overall appraisal of active labour market programmes to be carried out and this work is being undertaken under the aegis of the standing committee on the labour market, which is chaired by my Department. Indecon International Economic Consultants was commissioned by my Department, on behalf of the standing committee, to facilitate a rigorous assessment of the overall effectiveness of existing programmes and to help inform the deliberations of the standing committee. The consultants report was finalised and brought to the standing committee in November 2002. The standing committee is continuing with its work on the overall appraisal of ALMPs, taking due account of the Indecon report and recommendations.
In addition, a cross-departmental senior officials group has been asked to consider options for the future of community employment, taking account of the link with the provision of community services. FÁS is also currently undertaking an internal review of CE and the job initiative programme, which is well advanced and should be finalised shortly. The outcome of these various initiatives, which I expect should be completed by the third quarter of 2003, will inform the Government's consideration of options for the future delivery of community services and appropriate levels of CE for the future.