I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 100, 116, 123 and 148 together.
Community employment, CE, together with JI and SEP comprise FÁS employment schemes. CE provides work experience and training opportunities for the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups with the aim of progressing to a job in the open labour market. Persons with disabilities who satisfy the eligibility criteria may be considered for participation in the scheme. The current participation rate for this group of participants is about 20%. The total funding allocation for FÁS employment schemes in 2004 is €351 million, which is similar to the level of funding provided in 2003. This allocation is supporting a total of 25,000 places across the three schemes, which means there has been no reduction in the level of participation as compared with 2003.
Following my recent appointment, I have reviewed current policy on the operation of the FÁS employment schemes, which had been the subject by FÁS of an assessment earlier this year. In undertaking this review, I have taken fully into account the views and concerns expressed to me by various interest groups and other key stakeholders, including the social partners, with whom there had been extensive consultations in recent months.
On foot of this review, I decided that the following changes would take affect as and from 10 November 2004. There will be no compulsory lay-offs on the job initiative, JI, scheme, and participants who remain on JI will have their contracts renewed. People who leave JI voluntarily will be replaced by community employment, CE, participants to support the service being provided. There will be no compulsory cessation of social economy programmes, SEP, which play a very valuable role in communities throughout the country. In situations where an enterprise decides itself to cease activity, the employees affected will be assisted by FÁS in finding alternative employment, and the three year cap will be removed for CE participants aged over 55. This category of participants will be eligible to participate on CE for a maximum of six years. In the case of people advancing beyond 55 years during their normal period of service on CE, participation can be extended for up to a maximum of six years. The current ring fencing and prioritisation for the essential services of child care, health related services and drugs task force clients will be maintained. CE will remain as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression to employment.
Despite the buoyant labour market, the continuing high level of inward migration and low unemployment, I am conscious that there is still a need for these schemes for people who find it difficult to secure employment. Thus, in 2005 there will be 25,000 places overall on community employment schemes, job initiative schemes and social economy programmes.
These employment schemes have made a major contribution towards the provision of a network of valuable community services throughout the country. Equally, they offer participants the opportunity of work experience in a wide range of disciplines, which equips them in time to progress to full-time employment in the open labour market. I have no plans to make any changes to existing FÁS training schemes.
