Vol. 566 No. 2
2 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of places available on community employment schemes; the number that will be available at the end of 2003; if she will reconsider the decision to reduce the number of places, especially having regard to the difficulties being created for many voluntary and community groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12533/03]
In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure CE, or community employment, participation levels are gradually being reduced reflecting the significant reduction in the numbers of the 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 the programme during 2003 is expected to be in the region of 22,000. There were 24,991 participants on CE at the end of 2002 and this number will reduce to a projected participation rate of 20,000 by the end of 2003.
FÁS prioritises CE projects according to the types of services provided and levels of unemployment in the locality and co-ordinates reductions in CE places so as to minimise any negative effects on groups and services most in need of the programme. Drugs task force activity and child care service provision are ring-fenced from reductions and projects in RAPID areas are given priority. CE places in the health sector, which includes personal assistant services, are being maintained at existing levels to ensure continuity of the delivery of these services.
The Government is aware of the important contribution that CE has made to the development of services for local communities over the years and the difficulties which now arise for sponsor organisations in the voluntary and community sector due to the reduction in the level of funding available for the programme. In this context a cross-departmental senior officials group has been asked to consider options for the future of CE, taking account of the link with the provision of community services. In addition, 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. FÁS is also currently undertaking an internal review of CE and the job initiative programme which is well advanced and should be finalised shortly. The outcome of these various initiatives will inform the Government's consideration of options for the delivery of com munity services and appropriate levels of CE for the future.
Will the Minister of State accept that the decision in 1999 to savage community employment schemes was one of the most socially regressive moves taken by the current Administration? Will he further accept that we have all received sheaves of correspondence from voluntary and community groups across the country? I have with me correspondence from Our Lady's Island work and care group. These are the people the Minister of State says will be protected. Such people are working with senior citizens and youth and play groups. I have a list of people who have contacted me, such as Bridgetown Community Council and the People's Resource Centre. They are fearful of their future and have already been robbed of vital community supports.
Will the Minister of State, at this late stage, relent and not axe one in every five community employment positions in the country? Will he accept that the policy now being pursued has brought uncertainty to those schemes and has shown a lack of value and appreciation for the remarkable work undertaken by such groups? He is condemning many people to unemployment.
I accept there are difficulties as a result of the changes taking place. These changes are necessary in view of the overall situation with regard to the employment market. We had a 5.5% rate of long-term unemployment when CE was at its height in 1988 with 39,000 people involved. The figure for 2002 was 1.3% long-term unemployment with CE figures reduced to 20,000. The Deputy will be aware that significant numbers of people in this country are working on permits. We have to take note of the changing employment situation. We are aware of the difficulties experienced by schemes across the country. I suggest there is more fear than is necessary in that the figures are not devastating. Some 20,000 people will be employed in CE schemes at the end of this year. That is a reduction of 24,900 on last year's figure.
One in five.
There has been a reduction in schemes across the country. The reviews I referred to are looking at new policy initiatives which will enable CE, on a more structured basis, to provide a quality service to the community. The Deputy is aware that CE grew on an ad hoc basis to the extent that it was a labour market mechanism for long-term unemployed people. It was never a policy initiative to make it a significant service to the community, yet it has become one. I agree it provides a significant range of services across a whole series of sectors. It is opportune that we review the situation at this point. We need to ensure CE operates on a sound structured basis albeit with a smaller number of people involved.
The Minister of State has rightly and properly acknowledged that valuable community work is being done by CE. Will he also acknowledge that taking away those places means there is no one available to do that work? It makes no sense to rob communities of this support until the Minister of State is in a position to provide the elderly and youth with the services, such as sports and recreation, which he has acknowledged are currently being provided by CE.
On the Minister of State's commitment to the FÁS review of CE, I raised a similar question with him in March and was told the review would be finalised shortly. He has used the same phrase today. When will we see it?
I am satisfied from the discussions I had with sponsors, FÁS and other participants around the country, that we can provide effective community services with fewer people. The review will examine how we can ensure cost effectiveness in the provision of the services now being provided by FÁS. Everybody will accept that some FÁS schemes are not operating cost effectively. It is quite evident we are not getting a return from groundsmen on sports pitches. There is room for a review. The FÁS review has been completed and we expect a draft of it in the next two weeks,
