Mary O'Rourke
Ceist:1 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs created under the local employment scheme in 1995. [5530/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Employment Scheme.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the number of jobs created under the local development programme. The Operational Programme for Local Urban and Rural Development comprises sub-programmes on local enterprise, the integrated development of designated disadvantaged and other areas and the urban and village renewal.
Under sub-programme one of the operational programme, local enterprise, 2,887 full-time and 815 part-time jobs were created in 1995. Figures for jobs created under sub-programme two, integrated development of designated disadvantaged and other areas, are being compiled at present and it is expected that the figure will be available in early April. Under sub-programme three, urban and village renewal, the figures available are based on man year job equivalents. Much of the works undertaken to date have been carried out by existing local authority workforces.
A local employment service is being established initially in 14 areas, including the original 12 area partnership companies. Its objective is to provide a more co-ordinated and client centred service to the unemployed, especially the long-term unemployed. In doing so, it seeks to deliver a more streamlined response to the needs of the unemployed by statutory agencies operating locally, especially FÁS, the Department of Social Welfare and the vocational education committees, as well as the important outreach services for the unemployed provided by community and voluntary organisations, including the ICTU centres for the unemployed. The local employment service is being established on a partnership basis because of the critical importance of the active support of employers in developing an effective placement service.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Of the number of jobs which he first announced, that is 2,887, what effort has been made to offset displacement?
I have not much information about displacement. The breakdown between full-time and part-time jobs created in 1995 is 2,887 and 815 respectively. In 1994, 1,776 full-time and 263 part-time jobs were created. With an overall job creation target of 8,000 for sub-programmes to the end of 1999 and having created 4,663 full-time and 1,078 part-time in 1994-95, I believe the programme is on course and the job creation target will be exceeded. I do not have any information about displacement.
Has the Minister any information on the village renewal scheme which is turning out to be an excellent one? The village of Lusk, County Dublin, which is in my constituency is a good example of the success of the scheme. Does the Minister of State intend to extend that scheme? In doing so, does he intend to involve additional people who are unemployed at present? If he has that information I would be interested to hear it. If not, he might communicate with me.
This question is purely statistical. It does not leave room to deal with matters appertaining to policy.
It is just statistical information.
There is difficulty in compiling the information which the Deputy seeks. In the reply I stated that the figures available are based on man year job equivalents. Most of the works undertaken to date are being carried out by existing local authority workforces. The Deputy has acknowledged the scheme has been very successful in north County Dublin and it has been successful in other constituencies also. I will inquire as to whether Deputy Burke's worthy proposal can be brought into action.
We will now deal with questions nominated for priority but let us not forget the time factor involved in priority questions.