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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

David Stanton

Ceist:

110 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans for the future of community employment schemes; the way in which she plans to assist those who will be without employment and who will no longer be able to participate in such schemes, and in particular those over 50 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19813/02]

Dan Boyle

Ceist:

125 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on proposals that places available through the social employment scheme will be cut by up to 40% for 2003. [20308/02]

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

150 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the effect of proposed cutbacks in the community employment scheme for 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20063/02]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

152 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will change the focus of community employment programmes from purely labour market provision to the provision of non-market viable services in local communities; if the provision of such services currently within community employment in her Department is in the wrong Department; if she will consider the provision of these services being carried out by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in order that the emphasis would go on service provision and community development. [20078/02]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

153 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if up to 10,000 places are to be reduced in the 2003 allocation of community employment programmes; and the persons who will provide the local youth and community services in this scenario. [20079/02]

Conor Lenihan

Ceist:

163 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will reverse her decision to reduce the number of participants of community employment schemes in view of the changed economic circumstances which have occurred since the original consultants' review into the scheme. [20240/02]

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

168 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has plans to establish a new social employment scheme to meet the local and community employment needs arising from the loss of community employment places around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20484/02]

Gerard Murphy

Ceist:

180 Mr. Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress she made with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in setting up a scheme to support community groups, in view of the fact that community employment schemes are no longer available for this purpose. [20445/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 125, 150, 152, 153, 163, 168 and 180 together.

In accordance with the Government's 1999 decision to restructure community employment, participation levels are gradually being reduced, reflecting the significant reduction in the numbers of long-term unemployed and the shift in emphasis away from work experience programmes to training, from which there is a greater level of progression to employment. The average participation rate on community employment in 2002 is expected to be about 28,000, with a projected year end participation rate of 25,000. The reduction of 5,800 is due to a combination of restructuring, the continuation of mainstreaming community employment schools services and budgetary requirements. Discussions on the Estimates provision for 2003 are currently under way and are due to conclude soon. Participation rates on community employment next year will depend on the level of funding available for these programmes in 2003.
The national employment service is available to assist community employment participants and other unemployed persons to progress to employment in the open labour market or further education or training opportunities, as they finish their term on the programme. In addition, the high supports process, which will be launched on a pilot basis in the near future, will provide appropriate supports to meet the needs of those who because of age, literacy or other barriers are unlikely to succeed in getting and keeping a job in the open labour market. The high supports process will build on the existing guidance and counselling services provided under the dual stranded national employment service to help people to become ready for a job.
FÁS has discretion to extend, on a case by case basis, an individual's term on community employment, having regard to their personal development needs and future employment prospects. The three year cap on participation has been removed for those over 50 who continue to experience difficulties in finding employment, having spent three years on the programme. FÁS may offer a further period on the programme for such participants, on a case by case basis. FÁS prioritises projects according to the types of services provided and levels of unemployment in the locality, and co-ordinates reductions to minimise the negative effects on groups and services most in need of community employment. Drugs task force activity and child care service provision are ringfenced from any reductions and projects in RAPID areas are given top priority. Community employment places in the health sector, including personal assistant services, are being maintained at their level of the start of the year to ensure continuity of their delivery.
FÁS is undertaking an internal review of community employment, including an assessment of the role of the programme in regard to the provision of community services. The PPF mandated review of active labour market programmes is being progressed under the aegis of the standing committee on the labour market, chaired by my Department. In addition, a cross-departmental senior officials group has been asked to consider options for the future of community employment and the provision of community services, and which will include detailed consideration on any future role for the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in this regard. The outcome of these various initiatives will inform the Government's consideration of options for the future delivery of community services and appropriate levels of community employment for the future.
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