Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 2

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

92 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if cutbacks are being enforced by her Department on community employment and FÁS community schemes; her views on whether all those over 50 years of age should be allowed to remain on such schemes until retirement rather than return to social welfare; her further views on whether these schemes have been of benefit to the improvement of living conditions of the elderly and disabled and for the improvement of the environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20470/01]

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

The primary purpose of the community employment programme, CE, is to reintegrate long-term unemployed persons into employment in the open labour market. Through CE, participants are provided with valuable opportunities for development and training, and communities are provided with the resources necessary to provide services locally and-or develop their local area. 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. Following a restructuring of the programme in 1999 participation levels are gradually being reduced to 28,000 by the end of 2003. The mainstreaming of certain essential services currently undertaken by CE participants, which will provide new employment opportunities for CE participants and other long-term unemployed persons, will further reduce the numbers employed on the programme. 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.