Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 6

Written Answers. - Social Employment Schemes.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

168 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the problems that will beset caring organisations, including mentally handicapped, physically handicapped and Alzheimer's groups, when the new restrictions to social employment schemes come into force on 1 April 2000; the repercussions of the changes to carers of the sick and elderly who get valuable respite care through the schemes; the consideration given to the potential damage to small rural communities who rely mainly on the schemes to implement local development plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8737/00]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The primary purpose of community employment is to act as a stepping stone in the reintegration of long-term unemployed persons into the open labour market. The programme which has target average participation of 35,520 participants this year, will continue to be a very substantial active labour market programme and will continue to support the community and voluntary sectors, if at a reduced level over time.

Consultations on the ongoing funding of essential services currently provided through CE, such as the services provided by caring organisations, will take place in a special working group to be established under the PPF, comprising the social partners and representatives of Government Departments. The work of this group will include: identifying the key essential services currently provided through CE and accessing the implications of those services for CE in terms of budget; number of places, having regard to the planned reduction of 4,500 places, as per the Government decision in July 1999 to restructure CE; and the objectives of CE, including the provision of community services.

The findings of the working group will then be considered by Government.