Vol. 454 No. 5
18 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the recommendations contained in the 1995 publications by the Dublin Inner City Partnership on community employment options and opportunities; the proposals, if any, he has to implement the recommendations; the time-scale involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10870/95]
I am indeed aware of the report by the Dublin Inner City Partnership entitled Community Employment Options and Opportunities which I launched last February. At the time of its publication I welcomed the positive results of the survey for both sponsors and participants. The report indicated that the majority of the community employment participants surveyed considered that the training and work experience they had received would enhance their job prospects. However, the report highlighted the need to improve linkages with the jobs market for community employment participants and for improvements in guidance and counselling services.
Since the report was launched the Government has announced the establishment of the local employment service which will focus on the needs of the long term unemployed. The new service will be established initially in the 12Programme for Economic and Social Progress area partnerships and two other areas. Management committees have been established in the 12 partnership areas and implementation plans are being developed by the committees.
I am satisfied that the community employment programme is providing worthwhile work experience with training for community employment participants and that the establishment of the local employment service concentrating on the needs of the long term unemployed will assist greater numbers of the long term unemployed including community employment participants find employment.
As the Deputy is aware the Task Force on Long-Term Unemployment is currently examining the range of employment options to be available to the long term unemployed in the light of Government policy on special employment measures as set out in the policy agreement on the formation of this Government A Government of Renewal and the recommendations of the National Economic and Social Forum. I have no doubt that the Task Force will examine community employment, and all other options, in this context and will take account of reports such as that prepared by the Dublin Inner City Partnership.
