Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.
David Stanton
Ceist:
63
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her proposals to enable those who are 50 years of age or over to remain working in community employment schemes; the number of such people currently working in such schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[17261/01]
Charles Flanagan
Ceist:
94
Mr. Flanagan
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the reason an age ceiling is deemed necessary for participants on community employment and FÁS schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[17279/01]
Michael Finucane
Ceist:
101
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if, in the context of the Nice referendum with particular reference to the charter of fundamental rights and its application, she deems it consistent with the Nice Treaty that FÁS should terminate employment on community work schemes for no reason other than a person having attained the age of 65; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[17274/01]
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
110
Mr. Callely
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the number of people involved in community employment schemes at present; the period of time such community employment participants have been placed on a scheme; the opportunities to obtain permanent employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[16979/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 94, 101 and 110 together.
There are currently in the region of 33,500 participants on the community employment programme, of whom 10,520 are over 50 years of age. Participants can remain on the programme for a period of one to three years depending on their age and unemployment status. The maximum duration on CE for all participants is three years, with the exception of offshore island inhabitants and participants on drugs task force projects.
Participants on CE are usually within the age range of 25 to 65. A person who is on CE when they reach the age of 65 may finish out their term and is not automatically terminated from the programme. The primary purpose of CE is to reintegrate long-term unemployed persons into employment in the open labour market. The person who is on any FÁS programme on reaching the age of 65 will have been eligible due to the eligibility criteria at the time of applying and will remain on such a programme until the approved eligibility period elapses, even if such date brings them past 65.
The rules of eligibility for FÁS programmes are focused on those who are in receipt of benefits due to unemployment – live register status – and other social-physical disadvantage. These benefits would normally be aimed at people aged under 65. My Department is finalising proposals for a high supports process, as required under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, which will enhance the range of options available for job seekers with employment barriers, including older persons on community employment who have limited employment opportunities in the open labour market. Further consultations with the social partners on the high supports process are due to take place shortly and I hope this process can be put in place at an early date.
Opportunities to obtain permanent employment for CE participants who have completed their term on the programme are influenced by location, education and the skill level of the participants. The last ESRI survey conducted for FÁS, covered participants who had left the programme from January to March, 1999 and was carried out in the period April to July 2000. This survey indicated that 59% of former participants had secured employment. There are now more job opportunities available than ever before.
There is no provision in either the Nice Treaty, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union or under national legislation, which in any way restricts the above mentioned policy on eligibility for FÁS programmes.
