Vol. 571 No. 4
188 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her Department has considered increasing the minimum hours worked on community employment schemes from 19 hours to 30 hours per week; if she has assessed the impact that such a change would have on participation in the scheme by one parent families with schoolgoing children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22286/03]
The community employment, CE, programme is currently under review. An overall appraisal of active labour market programmes is being carried out under the aegis of the standing committee on the labour market, which is chaired by my Department. In addition, 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. FÁS is also currently completing an internal review of CE and the job initiative programme, JI, which is well advanced and should be finalised shortly. A decision on the future funding and structure of CE and JI, including the recommended hours of participation, will be taken in the context of the Estimates provision for 2004, having regard to the outcome of the current review process, which is now nearing completion. The implications of change for key target groups, such as lone parents, will be considered fully in the course of the review.
