Bernard Allen
Ceist:140 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she will take to avoid the dismissal of persons over 50 years of age from the community employment schemes. [19767/01]
Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.
The primary purpose of the community employment programme is to reintegrate long-term unemployed persons into employment in the open labour market. Opportunities in an increasingly positive labour market environment for CE participants who have completed their term on the programme to obtain permanent employment are influenced by location, education and the skill level of the participants.
There are currently in the region of 33,500 participants on CE, 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 taskforce projects.
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 CE 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 would hope that this process can be put in place at an early date.
My Department is also considering with FÁS the issue of older persons, workers in rural areas and others who have previously participated on CE, and who are having difficulty progressing to open employment. This issue will be also considered in the context of developing policy for the high supports process, and in the light of the implications of both elements for the future operation of CE following the mainstreaming of essential services.