Vol. 575 No. 3
127 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement regarding the concerns of The Irish Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (details supplied); and if every assistance will be given to them. [28144/03]
129 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will remove the three year capping regulation for community employment schemes in the health sector until a proper structured response is planned for the needs in the health sector, in particular for community employment scheme employees who have been trained to work with people with disabilities. [28203/03]
I propose to take Question Nos. 127 and 129 together.
The Government has decided, in the context of the 2004 Estimates, that there will be no further reduction in the number of places to be supported under community employment, CE, next year. The number of places to be supported will not drop below the end 2003 target of 20,000.
FÁS currently has discretion to offer up to 20% of the total number of CE participants a further period on the programme on a case by case basis. Participants are considered for an extension if on reaching the end of their normal entitlements on CE they are likely to experience difficulty in getting employment due to their age, literacy or numeracy problems or a lack of suitable jobs available locally.
Decisions on any future adjustments in the structure and the terms and conditions of CE participation will be taken when the review process, which is ongoing, has been brought to a conclusion.
