I thank the Chair for permitting me to raise this matter on the Adjournment. It concerns cuts which have been made by FÁS in the numbers of participants being recruited on social employment schemes. This is extraordinary given our rising level of unemployment.
Over the past two weeks sponsors and co-ordinators of social employment schemes have been informed of an unannounced policy to reduce the number of participants in these schemes. Already one important inner city scheme, the Lourdes Community Resources Centre with 20 SES workers has been closed down because FÁS did not allow it to roll over on 8 June. A second scheme in the city centre, the Grapevine Arts Centre is due to close on 19 June because it, too, is not being permitted to roll over.
In my constituency a number of SES schemes which are sponsored by Dún Laoghaire vocational education committee and Dublin County vocational education committee have been informed that recruitment of participants is to be reduced by 50 per cent. This means that SES schemes which are doing important and imaginative work in local communities are under threat. Schemes such as "Options" in Ballybrack, Community Action Television, Loughlinstown Employment Group, Sport-Eco and Choices in Shankill are now under threat. The 50 per cent cut in participation will not only reduce numbers but will threaten the viability of these projects because their administrative and supervisory budgets are based on the number of participants. If the number of participants is halved so too is the finance for the schemes' overheads. These groups operate community radio and television services, run unemployed centres, organise women's groups, produce community magazines and carry out environmental works. This type of activity requires continuity. If it is disrupted by massive reductions in participants it will be difficult to resume it.
Will the Minister explain why these cuts are being made? To date, FÁS have made no statement to explain to either the sponsors or the participants of schemes the rationale for the cuts. I understand that it may be due to the arrangements that exist for the funding of FÁS schemes. If this is so it should be corrected immediately and those involved in SES schemes reassured that the work is valued and is secure.
It is interesting that these cuts in the SES schemes are coming just before the launch of the community employment development programme. This programme was given pride of place in the budget speech by the Minister for Finance last January. Could it be that SES money is now being held back to kick start the CEDP later in the year? Is this another case of robbing Peter to pay Paul? We are owed an explanation and an assurance. With the unemployment figure now heading towards 300,000 and unemployed people willing to participate on SES schemes it does not make any sense to cut back on these schemes. The Minister should address this question as a matter of urgency.
In my constituency, for example, there is a number of schemes which are shortly coming up for renewal and for renewal of participation in the schemes. If there is any delay or refusal to renew these schemes not only will it affect individual participants, but it will affect the schemes, because they need a certain amount of continuity. Many of the schemes and projects require a great deal of planning and management. If the numbers of participants are depressed at any given time, it throws the whole operation of the project askew and it could undermine the viability of them. The Minister should address this urgently. I hope he will respond positively to these points.
