Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 5

Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

86 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals she has to allow persons who have completed three years on the community employment scheme to return to the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25954/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey)

In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure community employment, CE, participation levels are gradually being reduced in line with a strategic shift in policy in favour of training and other more appropriate supports. As part of this restructuring, future participation in CE by an individual was capped at three years, effective from April 2000. This change was introduced to discourage repeated participation in CE and to encourage unemployed persons to avail of training-education options where possible, which are shown to have more successful progression outcomes for individuals.

The three-year cap was amended in August 2001 to allow particularly disadvantaged persons to remain on the programme for a further period. FÁS currently has discretion to offer up to 20% of the total number of CE participants a further period on the programme, on a case by case basis. Participants are considered for an extension if on reaching the end of their normal entitlements on CE they are likely to experience difficulty in getting employment due to due to their age, literacy or numeracy problems or a lack of suitable jobs available locally.

The CE programme is currently under review. An overall appraisal of active labour market programmes is being carried out 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, JI, programme, which is well advanced and should be finalised shortly. A decision on the future eligibility criteria for these programmes will be taken when the current review process has been brought to a conclusion.