asked the Minister for Labour the present position regarding the operation of the social employment scheme in Cork Corporation, County Cork.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.
5.
Approval was given in 1986 to Cork Corporation to employ 255 persons under the social employment scheme. At present 150 persons are employed.
In order to remain within the budget originally allocated for the scheme in 1987, it was not possible to increase the number of participants on the corporation project. However, as a result of the announcement about additional resources in the budget, further workers may be recruited for Cork Corporation from May onwards.
Is it proposed under the new scheme to maintain the level of persons employed at that which applied last year? Can the Minister assure me that 255 persons will be employed in Cork Corporation when the new scheme commences? Is the Minister aware — I am sure he is as the city manager in Cork has communicated with him — that it is imperative for the success of the scheme to have more than 200 persons employed because with fewer than that the scheme is non-viable and is not self-financing? It is critically important that the numbers should be maintained. Has the Minister communicated his desire to Manpower that the scheme should be maintained?
Pending the review in May, I cannot say what the figures will be but this applies to all the Cork schemes. Last year the quotas in some parts of the country were not taken up. The quota was calculated on the basis of the regions and the long term unemployed. Some areas did not participate; Dublin and a number of other areas opted out but they are now involved in the scheme so there is a reduction in some regions. The highest figure in Cork was 243 in August 1985. At the end of 1986 approval was given for 255 persons, 150 of whom are still employed. We must try to avoid overruns in the figures for any region and, therefore, Cork will be reviewed in May.
Is the Minister fully aware of the fact that the unemployment rate in Cork city is far above the national average? When he is fixing his quotas I hope he will bear that in mind.
As many jobs were started during the previous year, does the Minister agree that it will be necessary to maintain the level at 250 people? Many jobs are nearing completion and it would be money well spent to allow a quota similar to that of last year. If he is not prepared to do this, money will have been wasted on half finished schemes.
The figures will be increased in the south-west region from 1,162 to 1,299. I am sure Deputies appreciate there is a far bigger demand this year because of the success of the social employment scheme. In the general budget the overall figures will go up by 1,500 to try to maintain an average of well over 8,000. The interest in the scheme is far greater than the previous Minister foresaw when he set the original target of 10,000.
6.
asked the Minister for Labour the reasons for the delay of moneys due to Louth County Council in relation to the social employment scheme; the number of schemes involved, the locations, individual outstanding moneys, when application was made and when sanction was given; and if he will give details in each individual case of the reason the moneys to date have not been paid and the total funds involved.
The final instalment of social employment scheme grant aid is withheld from sponsors pending receipt and examination by my Department of audited accounts. Louth County Council have submitted audited income and expenditure accounts in relation to their ten social employment scheme projects. Following consultations between my Department and the county council, nine of these claims have been finalised and payments will issue shortly. I expect the outstanding case to be finalised shortly.