I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together.
At the end of May 2003 there were 22,769 participants in the community employment programme countrywide. By the end of the year this number will have been reduced to 20,000. Participation levels on CE 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. All health service-related CE projects, including those providing services for persons with disabilities, have been ring-fenced from reductions that have taken place as a result of reducing the CE programme to 20,000 places by the end of 2003. Other ring-fenced services include drugs task force activities and child care service provision. Projects in RAPID areas are given priority. During 2002 when CE places were being reduced, FÁS ensured that these designated health CE places were untouched and that the places were maintained as agreed.
I understand the difficulties being encountered by sponsor organisations, which may have difficulty in replacing participants due to the lack of suitable applicants coming forward for the programme. Although CE is an active labour market programme and the concept of progression by participants is central to such a programme, I have asked FÁS to make a particular effort to identify CE participants suitable for the positions in question.
A number of reviews of CE are currently under way. The PPF provides for an overall appraisal of active labour market programmes to be carried out and this work is being undertaken under the aegis of the standing committee on the labour market, which is chaired by my Department. In addition, 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. FÁS is also currently completing an internal review of CE and the job initiative programme, which is well advanced and should be finalised shortly. The outcomes of these various initiatives will inform the Government's consideration of options for the future of these programmes.