asked the Minister for Labour if he will change the regulations governing current social employment schemes to enable promoters such as local authorities to keep staff on for periods longer than the present 12 months term; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Employment Schemes.
18.
I do not propose to change the regulations which limit a person's participation on the social employment scheme to 12 months. To do so would result in fewer long-term unemployed getting a chance to participate in the scheme. Also, it is not desirable that a scheme which was set up to provide one year's temporary placement, should become a means of providing public funding for permanent or quasi-permanent posts.
In exceptional circumstances, however, such as in areas where there are not sufficient numbers of long-term unemployed to enable a project to be undertaken or continued under the scheme, provision exists for extending the period of a person's participation beyond 12 months.