Vol. 436 No. 5
19 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the reason, for all practical purposes, persons whose spouses are employed are not being allowed to take part in FÁS schemes; and if he will issue a Directive that each such case be treated on its merits.
44 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on whether there is unjustified discrimination among unemployed people in the operation of schemes.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 44 together.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the fact that not all unemployed persons, including women not on the Live Register, can participate in the employment schemes administered by FÁS. These schemes are directed at specific categories of unemployed persons such as the long term unemployed, early school leavers and young people who are experiencing difficulty in obtaining employment. The eligibility conditions for the schemes reflect this targeting and only persons who satisfy the appropriate conditions can participate in them.
The Deputy will appreciate that with limited resources it is not possible to provide employment scheme opportunities for all unemployed persons.
