Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
277 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will mainstream the community employment scheme for an association (details supplied); if he will increase the number of community employment posts from the current number of 341 to 417; the number agreed with the association in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28704/04]
View answer283 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans he has to ring-fence community employment numbers agreed in 2002 in the health sector; and the progress that has been made in this matter to date. [28931/04]
View answer284 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the commitment to mainstream the IWA community employment scheme posts, as included in the programme for Government in June 2002 will be honoured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28932/04]
View answer285 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans he has to ensure that all IWA community employment posts are graded and paid similar to other health care workers such as home helps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28933/04]
View answer286 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposal he has regarding the concerns of a movement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28934/04]
View answer288 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views in respect of a submission (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29049/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 277, 283 to 286, inclusive, and 288 together.
Following consultation with the social partners and key stakeholders, I undertook a review of the current policy on the operation of FÁS employment schemes, which comprise community employment, CE, schemes jobs initiative, JI, and social economy programmes, SEPs. On foot of this review, I announced on 10 November 2004 that: in 2005 there will be 25,000 places on CES, JI and SEPs; that 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 and 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; and that the current ring-fencing of essential services particularly health related services will be maintained. These arrangements will be of particular benefit to the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Grow Community Mental Health Movement as regards the provision of carers.
Whereas I have no plans to mainstream health related CE services, the continuance of ring-fencing and the extended participation on CE by older workers will help to secure the continuity of community services generally and will ensure that the existing community service support framework will be maintained.
