asked the Minister for Labour if persons employed under the social employment scheme will be allowed to continue after 12 months of employment has expired.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.
13.
The conditions of the social employment scheme specify that participants may be normally employed on the scheme for a maximum period of one year. The Deputy will appreciate the need to give an opportunity to the greatest possible number of persons to obtain employment on the scheme, and that it would be unfair to allow some persons to continue on a project beyond this period while others in the locality were anxious to participate but unable to do so. However, where in particular areas the workforce available is adequate, the National Manpower Service will consider the re-employment of eligible persons who have completed a year on the scheme.
Since I tabled this question a group on a project have been notified of its termination. I am concerned to ensure, where work is in progress on a scheme, that work will be continued even by taking in other employees on that project. I am concerned about the continuation of the work rather than the continuation of the individuals on the job.
The conditions of the scheme allow for extensions to be approved subject to the conditions of the scheme.
I ask the Minister of State to take into consideration that there be an examination of a project if it is in the course of completion and not completed, and if it cannot continue with the employees that it be allowed to continue after 12 months with other employees.
I agree with Deputy Leonard that it would be logical to finish off a job rather than leave it incomplete.
I would like the Minister of State to repeat the last part of his answer because I missed it. If employees are doing well on a scheme and their skills cannot be replaced easily, is the intention to allow a 12 months' extension of the scheme for those employees?
The Department of Finance decision with regard to the 12 months' period of employment for participants under the scheme was appealed on 17 June of this year and the Department have given approval for a percentage rollover to cater for cases such as either the Deputy refers to in terms of skills or because of an inadequate number available for the workforce. He is aware that since the changes with regard to unemployment assistance rates were introduced any applicant is eligible for the scheme irrespective of the length of time the applicant is drawing unemployment assistance.