Vol. 496 No. 3
424 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 20 October 1998, he will consult with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the proposals, if any, it has to amend the community and employment programme in view of his departmental interest in this area. [22565/98]
An independent review of the community employment scheme carried out by Deloitte & Touche recommended a gradual phasing out of work experience placements in the statutory sector. While the report considered that the work being done under community employment in the education sector was very valuable, the evaluation raised the issue of whether such services should be funded by my Department in the first instance.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has already indicated that any proposals to amend the community employment scheme in light of this report will first be discussed with the social partners and with ministerial colleagues who have an interest in this area. In that context, the potential impact on secretarial, caretaking and other services in the education sector will be fully explored before any decisions are taken.
