Vol. 488 No. 1
88 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will give details on the review of the operation of community employment schemes being carried out by her Department; the individual engaged to carry out this review; the terms of reference; when this review will be completed; if submissions will be taken from the public; and the plans, if any, she has to publish this report. [5443/98]
The community employment programme is the largest labour market programme operated in Ireland. It has been in operation since 1994 and in 1996 the eligibility criteria for participation were tightened up to focus more effectively on the long-term unemployed. This year the programme will provide an averge of 41,000 places. A full review of the programme is now timely.
Deloitte & Touche were appointed as consultants to carry out a review of the CE programme. They have been asked to evaluate the success of the programme in meeting its objectives, to consider its efficacy in the light of current and evolving labour market conditions and to make proposals to improve the programme within existing resources.
In the course of the review Deloitte & Touche will consult in a structured way with CE participants, CE sponsors and unemployed persons. In line with their contract with my Department, the consultants are required to submit the review by June 1998. It is my intention to publish the report.
89 Mr. Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will outline details of her decision regarding the rules on social employment schemes that stipulate that 75 per cent of those participating in a scheme must be over 35 years of age; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this practically eliminates the participation of rural areas; if she will reverse this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5444/98]
The Deputy's question appears to be founded on an incorrect premise. Of the 40,000 places on the community employment programme approximately 10,000, or some 25 per cent are reserved for persons aged 35 or over who have been unemployed for three years or more or who fulfil the age requirement and are in receipt of certain specified social welfare payments. This component of CE is known as the part-time jobs option. The balance of places are for persons over 21 years of age who have been unemployed for one year or more or who fulfil the age requirement and are in receipt of certain specified social welfare payments. The number of places under the part-time jobs option was increased by 1,000 in the recent budget.
FÁS does not report a particular problem for rural sponsors in filling places under either of these options. Where a sponsor identifies to FÁS such a problem at local level, FÁS will work closely with the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs to identify a suitable candidate for placement on the scheme.
The community employment programme was remodelled in 1996 into its current configuration specifically in order to be more targeted on the long-term unemployed. There are no plans to change this emphasis.
