Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

118 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will confirm that schools are excluded from the community employment scheme and that no dedicated participants can be allocated by an organisation for work in these schools; the steps, if any, she will take to ensure that this decision is reversed as scheme participants have played an important role in the maintenance, upkeep and general works at schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10723/00]

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

FÁS has operational responsibility for the delivery of the community employment (CE) programme, including project selection and appraisal. Schools have not been excluded from participating in CE as a consequence of the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure the programme. An audit of CE projects undertaken in November 1999 shows that there were 5,804 persons participating in CE projects in schools at that time.

It is the case however that discussions have been taking place between my Department and the Department of Education and Science with a view to determining the potential to mainstream services currently provided for the education sector through CE (e.g. school secretaries, caretakers etc.) directly by the education sector itself. Any developments arising from these discussions will also be the subject of consultation with the social partners as provided for under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.