Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2004
59 Mr. Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the instigation of increased mainstreaming of community employment schemes providing services for persons with disabilities. [13870/04]
View answer90 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of requests she has received for extra funding to enable FÁS continue with existing and new community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14025/04]
View answer91 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of community employment schemes that have been discontinued due to lack of funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14026/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 90 and 91 together.
In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure community employment schemes, participation levels have gradually been reduced in line with a strategic shift in policy in favour of training and other more appropriate supports. The number of community employment projects reduced from 2,274 in January 2000 to 1,368 in January 2004. This was due to the reduction in overall participation levels during this period. There were 19,848 participants on community employment at the start of the year and no further reduction in participation levels is targeted during 2004. There may be scope for a slight increase in the participation rate during the year based on the overall budget allocation of €351 million provided for FÁS employment programmes in the Estimates for 2004.
Community groups submit proposals on an ongoing basis for additional community employment places or renewal of individual schemes. These submissions are passed to FÁS for consideration. Of most concern to many sponsor organisations is the difficulty that they encounter in recruiting eligible unemployed people to replace those who have finished their term on the programme. There are no longer large numbers of long-term unemployed persons willing and eligible to take a place on community employment.
As provided for in the PPF, consideration has been given to the mainstreaming of certain essential services provided through community employment. In this regard, approximately 4,500 community employment places in schools have been mainstreamed over the past number of years. In addition, in the region of 2,300 places have peen provided on the social economy programme. Detailed discussions took place during 2002 involving the Department of Health and Children, health boards, FÁS and sponsor groups, with regard to the possible mainstreaming of health sector places. However, due to the amount of additional funding required by the Department of Health and Children to mainstream these positions, and having regard to other major demands on the health budget, it was not possible to proceed with mainstreaming.
The future structure of the community employment programme remains under review by a group of senior officials and FÁS, and this group will report to Ministers on the outcome of their deliberations shortly. Decisions on any future adjustments in the structure and the terms and conditions of community employment participation will be taken when the review process has been brought to a conclusion.
