I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 71, 72 and 131 together.
FÁS employment programmes, which comprise community employment, social economy and job initiative, are being maintained at their existing level in 2005 at 25,000 places. Community employment provides work experience and training opportunities for the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups with the aim of assisting participants to progress to a job in the open labour market. The programme specifically caters for persons with a wide range of disabilities who satisfy the eligibility criteria.
I am informed by FÁS that the number of participants on community employment in January, 2003 was 24,991 of which 4,098 or 17.7% were persons with disabilities; in January 2004 there were 19,848 persons on the programme of which 3,401 or 18.6% were persons with disabilities; it is anticipated that there will be 21,650 participants on community employment at the start of 2005 and approximately 20% will be persons with disabilities.
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. On foot of this review I decided that with effect from 10 November 2004 the three year cap would be removed for community employment participants aged 55 or over. This category of participants is now eligible to participate on community employment for 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 are being maintained. The continuance of ringfencing and the extended participation on community employment 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. I have no plans to make any further changes to community employment criteria in the immediate future. The community employment programme will, of course, continue to be monitored closely by this Department.