Vol. 567 No. 6
123 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the community employment scheme for 2003 in Dublin 12 will not be scaled back; and if she will make a statement on her intentions in this matter. [14957/03]
In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure community employment, participation levels are gradually being reduced reflecting the significant reduction in the numbers of the long-term unemployed, and the shift in emphasis away from work experience programmes to training, from which there is a greater level of progression to employment. The average participation rate on the programme during 2003 is expected to be in the region of 22,000. The allocation of places to individual CE projects is an administrative matter for FÁS. FÁS prioritises CE projects according to the types of services provided and levels of unemployment in the locality, and co-ordinates reductions in CE places to minimise any negative effects on groups and services most in need of the programme. Drugs task force activity and child care service provision are ring-fenced from any reductions and projects in RAPID areas are given 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. The net effect of what I have outlined is that projects outside of the priority groups outlined, may well be subject to a reduction in excess of 20% this year.
