Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

335 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding the changes in community employment schemes in schools; the reason for the changes from 1 September 2001; if changes will come about over a three year period; if special measures can be brought forward for schools in disadvantaged areas where there are currently up to ten, 12 or 15 on community employment schemes in the school; if all existing functions will be covered in the new arrangements; if supervisors of community employment schemes will become the responsibility of his Department; and if they will be retained and used in the new arrangements. [20656/01]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

340 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to the agreement with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to transfer the funding for school based community employment to his Department, he will give an undertaking to schools which have a community employment scheme and the £10,000 materials grant that goes with it, that they will not lose out and be disadvantaged by new arrangements which he intends to put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20661/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 340 together.

Responsibility for the operation of community employment schemes in schools lies with FÁS. In line with a PPF commitment to mainstream certain essential services provided under CE the Government has agreed that £46 million spent by FÁS on school services under CE will be transferred to the Department of Education and Science. These funds will be used to provide a significant increase in grant assistance for ancillary services in primary and post primary schools. The transfer of the funds will be front loaded with £32 million being transferred in the next school year and the balance during 2003.

My Department will prepare guidelines for schools on the new arrangements and the purposes for which schools can use the increased funding.

The main features of the new arrangements are increased funding for secretarial and caretaking services for schools and greater flexibility for schools in how these services are provided. All schools, including those who have never benefited from CE funding, will receive additional funding; all people on CE schemes who opt to serve out their contracts will be facilitated and a liaison group will be established, comprising representatives of FÁS and DES, to facilitate a smooth transition.