Vol. 524 No. 1
59 Mr. Connaughton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the review group on the community employment scheme has been established; if not, when it is expected to be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21637/00]
79 Mr. Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of occasions on which the review group to examine community employment schemes, promised in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, has met to date; when she expects to receive its final report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21577/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 79 together.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness provides for the establishment of a special working group to identify the key essential services provided through the community employment programme, CE, and assess the implications of these services for community employment in terms of budget, number of places and objectives of the programme. This work is being undertaken by the standing committee on the labour market, formally the Partnership 2000 standing committee on labour market opportunities.
The mainstreaming of essential services is being progressed directly with relevant Departments before reporting to the standing committee on the labour market on the outcome of these discussions. Consultations with the Department of Education and Science on the mainstreaming of CE schools services relating to school secretaries, caretakers and classroom assistants are well advanced, and I expect that proposals will be ready for consultation with the social partners within four weeks. Consultations have also been initiated with the Department of Health and Children on the potential for the mainstreaming of CE personal assistant services for disabled persons.
The standing committee on the labour market in its present form has met three times this year to date. Further meetings of the committee for the purpose of the mainstreaming consultations will be convened as appropriate.
I look forward to early progress in this area.
Question No. 60 taken with Question No. 16.
Question No. 61 taken with Question No. 49.
Question No. 62 taken with Question No. 49.
