Vol. 464 No. 1
17 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the level of participation in the community employment scheme; the percentage of participants who have secured full-time employment on completion of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7654/96]
28 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the success rate of FÁS trainees in securing full-time employment on completion of their training courses. [7665/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 28 together.
The progression opportunities for community employment as set out in the Human Resources Operational Programme are 25 per cent placement into jobs and 15 per cent into further education-training by 1999. However, a target of 35 per cent placement into jobs and 25 per cent into further education-training by 1999 has been set following recent changes to the community employment programme. As community employment has only been in operation since April 1994, it is too early yet to evaluate the full impact of the programme. However, a preliminary sample survey of participants who left the programme having completed their 12 months participation period indicated that 29 per cent had found full-time employment; 20 per cent had found part-time employment; 7 per cent were self-employed and 10 per cent had entered full-time education programmes or progressed to specific skills training programmes.
I am pleased with the preliminary results.
With regard to FÁS mainline training programmes, approximately 60 per cent to 70 per cent of participants on specific skills training courses obtain employment following completion of their course and in respect of other foundation or reintegration courses, approximately 50 per cent of trainees obtained employment or progress to further education or training. The targets for progression from FÁS mainline training programmes, as set out in the Human Resources Operational Programme are 60-65 per cent into jobs and 5 per cent into further education-training by 1999.
