Vol. 550 No. 2
60 Mr. Spring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will increase the number of persons in various age groups, particularly the over-50s, allowed to continue on social employment schemes after two years have elapsed. [7824/02]
Participation on community employment is normally for a period of one to a maximum of three years as the primary objective of the programme is to progress participants to jobs in the open labour market. In August, 2001 I announced new flexibility arrangements for the future operation of CE which allows FÁS discretion to extend, on a case by case basis, an individual's term on CE, having regard to that individual's personal development needs and future employment prospects. I have no plans to increase the numbers remaining on the programme for extended periods beyond the new flexibility already introduced.
In the case of people aged over 50 years, the three year cap on participation has been removed where people in this age group, having spent three years on the programme, continue to experience difficulties in getting employment. For such participants FÁS now has discretion to offer a further period on the programme on a case-by-case basis. In addition, FÁS now has the flexibility to offer a further period of participation of up to one year for a limited number of those in the younger age groups who are also experiencing difficulty in obtaining employment. This flexibility will apply in those cases where it is clear that an extension would be of benefit to the participants in terms of improving their prospects of progressing to a job in the open labour market. In general, approximately 20% of participants on CE may benefit from an additional year on the programme under the new flexibility guidelines.
Question No. 61 answered with Question No. 52.
