Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 26 Oct 2000

Vol. 525 No. 1

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

79 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Galway went to a local employment service in Galway, was interviewed and found suitable for the position of personal assistant/carer, but was told she could not take the job as FÁS says she does not qualify in view of the fact that she has not been receiving a one parent family allowance for over 12 months and they will not accept a carer's allowance as qualifying payment. [23756/00]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

80 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has to change the rules for community employment eligibility in order that those in receipt of a carer's allowance can qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23759/00]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.

The community employment programme, CE, is a labour market intervention measure targeted at the long-term unemployed. CE is a very popular programme and limited resources do not make it possible to provide places for all unemployed persons. Eligibility for CE is confined to 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.

On the above basis persons in receipt of the carer's allowance are not eligible for CE in their own right and this payment cannot be combined with any other payment towards eligibility for the programme. However, in response to the recent recommendation of the report of the P2000 working group on women's access to labour market opportunities, my Department is considering the position of persons on carer's allowance with a view to accepting an appropriate period in receipt of this allowance as eligibility for CE. This would facilitate persons on low income whose caring duties have ceased to return to the workforce. I expect to be in a position to make a decision shortly.