Vol. 465 No. 6
266 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he will provide additional funding to FÁS in 1996 in order to ensure that voluntary bodies in the north-west who are submitting new applications for community employment schemes will have an opportunity of commencing projects in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10156/96]
Funding is being provided to FÁS which will provide for an average of 40,000 places on community employment during 1996. This is the maximum level of funding available, given current resources constraints, and I am satisfied it will prove significant and be of considerable benefit to the long-term unemployed, at whom this programme is primarily targeted and also to voluntary and public bodies in improving the quality of life for their local communities.
The level of funding allocated to the north-west region is a matter for FÁS as part of their day-to-day operational responsibilities for CE.
