Richard Bruton
Ceist:472 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the new provisions he proposes to introduce to replace the community employment schemes in schools. [22842/01]
Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.
The Deputy will be aware that I have recently secured the transfer of £46 million per annum to my Department on a phased basis between now and 2003, as the FÁS school based community employment schemes, CE, come to an end. The availability of this funding will enable me to make significant progress on the provision of secretarial and caretaking services to schools by putting in place an equitable system of funding for ancillary services throughout the free education school system. My Department will receive a total of £32 million in this school year.
Proposals for the distribution of the moneys received this year at primary and post-primary levels are now almost finalised and I expect to be in a position to announce them within the next week. My Department is arranging for circulars to issue to all primary and second level schools. These circulars, which will be available shortly, will outline details of the new funding arrangements.
The Deputy will be aware that I recently agreed with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS that all school based CE participants with a legitimate expectation of up to three years' participation in a school based CE scheme will be facilitated to complete their full term. This adjustment to the phasing out of CE schemes in schools means that certain CE participants may be entitled to continue working on CE in schools up to and including 2004 depending on their individual circumstances and entitlements under CE. This adjustment should also ensure that the withdrawal of CE schemes takes place on a more gradual basis and, therefore, reduce the immediate impact on schools.