Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 14 Mar 1995

Vol. 450 No. 6

Written Answers. - Community Employment Projects.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

162 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern among sponsors of community employment projects that they will shortly become responsible for employers' PRSI in respect of participants on these schemes; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this will impose a heavy financial burden which could not be carried by voluntary groups and would probably result in the winding up of many of these schemes; his intentions in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5524/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

Sponsors of community employment projects are currently liable for PRSI at a J rate of 0.5 per cent in respect of participants and this will continue.

From 6 April 1995, voluntary/ community sponsors will also become liable for payment of the employers' PRSI portion in respect of supervisors employed on their projects. However, I am pleased to be able to advise the Deputy that the funding made available to FÁS for community employment this year will enable FÁS to provide assistance to voluntary sponsors in respect of their PRSI liability for supervisors.