I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 121 and 152 together.
The social economy programme aims to support the development of social economy enterprises and, in so doing, create sustainable jobs for the long-term unemployed.
In 2003, €30.836 million was allocated for this programme to FÁS and this is being increased in 2004 to over €40 million. This is part of the overall allocation of €351 million, which is being provided in 2004 to support up to 25,000 places across the three employment schemes, community employment, job initiative, JI, and the social economy programme.
The day-to-day operation of the scheme is a matter for FÁS, which endeavours to work with the relevant groups in a sensitive manner, taking account of the particular needs of individual enterprises. Demands for assistance under the social economy programme, exceed the budget available and in the circumstances it is not possible for FÁS to meet all the requirements of the enterprises concerned.