asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider in certain cases extending the period for which a Teamwork and social employment scheme qualifies for funding from one to two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
39.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Employment and Teamwork Schemes.
19.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will restate the policy on regulations governing the social employment scheme so as to allow certain projects a two or three year period of activity where the nature of the project requires it.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 39 together.
The conditions of the social employment and Teamwork schemes provide that initial approval for projects is given for a period of up to 52 weeks but sponsors may seek to renew a project for a further year. Should the project still not be concluded sponsors may apply for an extension for a further year. However projects of a continuing nature with no finite termination are not eligible under the schemes.
No individual worker should be employed on either scheme for a period in excess of 12 months.
While I understand what the Minister is saying about the period being initially 52 weeks with a possibility of renewal, I have in mind community-based projects which cannot be developed to the extent the scheme allows for within a period of one year. The Minister is saying that no individual can work beyond a 12-month period. I would ask him seriously to consider making a differentiation between some social employment schemes which do not operate on a community development basis and those which do. Could he clarify the aims of the social employment scheme? In the case of community development projects the aim is not for the individuals on the scheme to be given a chance to go back into the workforce but rather to develop the community in which they are working. There is a grey area here. These workers begin to see that the real purpose of their work is to develop the community.
I am not sure if I totally understand the Deputy. Perhaps she is saying that when an application is being formulated the scheme should be geared towards a long-term community project rather than a 12-month project. Often it takes a year to see how a scheme is progressing before a decision can be made as to whether it is worth keeping
That is the very point I am making. If it was known initially that a two or three year period could be used to build up the community, plans could be made accordingly.
The people working in this section have now become fairly expert in dealing with 9,000 or 10,000 man years and they are normally very sympathetic. If they see any scheme worthy of continuation they normally recommend it, with different individuals.
It is a matter of planning and the community do not know if there will be a continuation.
If the Deputy has some views I will be glad to look into it.