Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2011
222 Deputy Alex White asked the Minister for Social Protection in view of the important work done in the sector, if she will give assurances on the future funding of the return to education programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29972/11]
View answerPart 3 of the Social Welfare and Pension Act 2010 provides for the transfer of the employment services and community services programmes of FÁS to the Department of Social Protection and for the integration of FÁS staff managing these programmes into the Department. That process of integration is currently under way. The training component of the community employment programme includes the return to education programme.
As with all programmes and schemes, the future funding and operation of the community employment programme will be considered in the context of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review and the Government's deliberations in respect of Budget 2012. It is not possible to give assurances that in relation to particular programmes.
