Vol. 515 No. 2
101 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans, if any, she has to renew the decision taken by FÁS to prevent community employment schemes from being involved in the clean-up and maintenance of graveyards in view of the very important work in this regard carried out by locally community based organisations over the years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5741/00]
The primary purpose of community employment is to act as a transitional programme to reintegrate long-term unemployed persons into open labour market jobs. Operational responsibility for the delivery of the programme, including project selection and appraisal, comes within the remit of FÁS as part of their responsibilities under the Labour Services Act, 1987.
Following a restructuring of CE in July 1999 participation on the programme is being reduced over a five year period. It is FÁS policy that projects providing quality work experience for participants and worthwhile services to community groups will get priority, particularly where they lead to good progression to further education-training or employment. While there are currently participants on projects working in graveyards the type of experience gained does not, in general, lead to good progression opportunities. Environmental-type work of this nature is classified as low priority and is not being continued as part of the CE programme in certain areas.
