John Bruton
Ceist:123 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her future proposals for the community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12561/00]
Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.
Following the restructuring of community employment (CE) approved by Government in 1999, the following revised eligibility criteria apply to persons who wish to participate in the options available under the programme.
The part-time integration option is aimed at persons who are unemployed and in receipt of a payment in respect of unemployment assistance, unemployment benefit, qualified adults, one parent family payment or widows-widowers pension for a minimum period of 12 months. Persons in receipt of a disability payment who obtain approval from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs to engage in employment of a rehabilitative nature can also participate in the programme.
The eligibility age for participation in this CE option was raised from 21 years to 25 years on 1 January 2000 with the following exceptions: travellers, ex-offenders, refugees, people with disabilities, people referred under drugs task force, offshore island inhabitants, 18-24 year olds referred through EAP who are 18 months or more unemployed.
Participants remain on this programme for a period of one year. A limited number of people can remain for a second year in circumstances where it will facilitate their progression to employment.
The part-time job option/rate for the job is targeted at persons who need a longer programme in order to become job ready. Participants must be 35 or over and three years unemployed and in receipt of the payments stated previously. The participant can remain on this option for a period up to three years.
Other changes to the programme which are part of the restructuring process include the duration of participant breaks between schemes has been increased from six to 12 months, and future participation in CE by an individual will be capped at three years. An individual's previous participation on the programme will not be taken into account.
Offshore island residents are exempt from these changes which took effect from April 2000.
My Department will continue to implement the phased reduction in the participation levels on CE which has a target participation rate of 28,000 by the end of 2003.
A special working group will be established shortly to consider issues relating to the future funding of essential services currently provided under CE as required under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The findings of this group will be considered by Government at the appropriate time.