Vol. 426 No. 7
114 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the funding which is available for training and social employment schemes in 1993; if he will extend these schemes or introduce new schemes to further encourage employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A total of £149.265 million in Exchequer funding has been made available to FÁS in 1993 of which £83.811 million has been allocated for the social employment scheme. This amount, together with EC funding of £97 million approximately, will enable the provision of about 50,000 opportunities on FÁS programmes this year. Average participation in training will be 14,500 which is on a par with last year's outturn. The funding available for the social employment scheme represents an increase of about £10.5 million on the 1992 expenditure level. This will allow average participation on the scheme of 13,500 as against an average of 12,000 in 1992.
The broad thrust of yesterday's budget was to generate economic growth leading to the creation of sustainable employment. In particular the jobs fund for which £250 million is being provided in 1993 is designed to promote recovery and job creation. In addition, the Government is pressing ahead with the establishment of the county enterprise partnership boards. An allocation of £25 million is being provided for the boards which will support local initiative and development through assisting the start up of small enterprises. The boards will also initiate activity under a nationwide series of community development programmes.
