I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.
I understand from FÁS that there are no plans to increase or decrease the number of places on Community Employment in the above-mentioned geographical areas.
All applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for Community Employment are entitled to apply for vacant positions, this includes people with disabilities and those on pre-retirement. I further understand from FÁS that there is no formal ring fencing of places for pre-retirement or for those with disabilities. Nationally there are 1,000 places ring fenced for drug rehabilitation. As set out in the Programme for Government, the recommendations of the Working Group on Drug Rehabilitation in relation to extra community employment places will be implemented.
In April 2000 limits were introduced on the amount of time that a person could participate on CE (3-years total time on CE from 3rd April 2000 — participation on CE before this date is disregarded). CE capping was introduced to facilitate the movement of participants through the programme, allowing new participants who may not otherwise have such an opportunity, avail of the programme. However, participants with disabilities are eligible for one additional year.
All participants who are over fifty-five years of age are eligible to participate for a total term of six years. However, persons with disabilities who are over fifty-five years of age are also eligible for an additional year and have a total eligibility term of seven years.
At present 6,053 (29% of total participants) participants on CE are aged 55 and over (excluding Supervisors). In addition, there are a total of 5,569 (26.5% of total) participants on CE who have a Department of Social and Family Affairs disability linked payment.
In conclusion, I refer the Deputy to the following table, which displays the number of participants on Community Employment in the Dublin 8, 10, 12 and 22 areas for the period 2003-2006 and to date in 2007.
FÁS Community Services CE Projects.
Areas Dublin 8, 10, 12 and 22
|
Area Code
|
2033
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
Dublin 8
|
694
|
708
|
667
|
685
|
749
|
Dublin 10
|
237
|
230
|
232
|
214
|
279
|
Dublin 12
|
231
|
265
|
280
|
268
|
269
|
Dublin 22
|
226
|
295
|
288
|
307
|
289
|
Total
|
1,388
|
1,498
|
1,467
|
1,474
|
1,586
|