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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 5

Written Answers. - FÁS Schemes.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

42 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, he has to extend FÁS schemes to women signing for credits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17234/95]

I presume the Deputy is referring to the community employment programme. CE is the primary labour intervention by the State in respect of the long-term unemployed and other special categories who are experiencing difficulty in gaining a foothold in the labour market. Its purpose is to provide temporary work experience together with some training that would assist those concerned in obtaining mainstream employment.

Both men and women, married or single, who fulfil any of the following eligibility criteria can participate on the programme: persons in receipt of unemployment benefit for over 12 months or persons in receipt of lone parent's allowance for over 12 months or persons of 21 years or over in receipt of unemployment assistance or persons referred by the National Rehabilitation Board.

The Task Force on Long-Term Unemployment is currently reviewing CE and any question of changing the eligibility criteria will be considered following this review.

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