Theresa Ahearn
Ceist:27 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Labour if he considers that the Teamwork scheme has been successful; if he intends to ensure that this scheme will continue in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Teamwork Scheme.
I regard Teamwork as a worthwhile scheme providing temporary employment on projects of benefit to the local community for young people on the live register.
An Exchequer allocation of £3 million has been provided for the scheme this year which will provide activity for up to 2,000 young people.
The continuation of the scheme will be considered by Government in the context of the 1993 Estimates discussions.
I would also like to draw attention to the new job training scheme which I launched last week. This will provide additional opportunities for our young people.
I am glad to hear the Minister say he welcomes this scheme and appreciates the benefit of it but can he say why, then, on 4 March a letter issued from the Department of Labour asking people in FÁS to kindly note that the budget does not allow for approval of a renewal of the Teamwork project and where possible, to please discourage replacement of the current scheme? Am I being given a different view in the House from that indicated by letter to the FÁS offices in which the Minister directly asked them to discontinue the scheme?
I have not asked that they discontinue the schemes. It is true that the Teamwork fund has been reduced from over £4 million last year to £3 million this year. I am pointing out that there are new schemes in existence which will meet the requirements of people for whom Teamwork was originally directed, those between the ages of 18 and 25 years of age or those who had been on Youthreach programmes. The job training scheme is now ESF funded to a higher degree than would have been the Teamwork scheme. That scheme is now available to those people and I am asking, in order that we get the maximum value from ESF funding, that we use the job training scheme in addition to the Teamwork programme for which there is £3 million. If more applicants have applied for Teamwork schemes there is now available to them the job training scheme. I am trying to ensure that people who are interested in that category would receive funding under a different scheme based on the fact that there has been a reduction of £1 million this year.
Question No. 28 please.
A final question.
It has to be very brief Deputy. There are other Priority Questions to be disposed of. I must have regard to those also.
In view of the fact that Teamwork comprises only 2.5 per cent of the FÁS budget and recognising the valuable work which people employed in Teamwork do, in particular in the caring services, can the Minister assure me that under the new scheme, those people will be able to provide the same services which are needed so badly within our community?
I am aware that, for example, in the area of mental handicap, the Teamwork scheme has been used. It would be my wish and intention to ensure that that type of activity would come under Teamwork where that was what was desired. I regard schemes involving help for the mentally handicapped as a priority. I would point out also that under section 68 (1) of the Health Act, 1970, the health boards have a responsibility in relation to the education of the handicapped and in helping to find placements. A sum of some £26 million from the European Social Fund is available to the National Rehabilitation Board who are involved in that work also.