Community Employment Schemes.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2004

Wednesday, 4 February 2004

Ceisteanna (131)

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

222 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals she has to restore the number of places on the community employment schemes to the 2002 level of 30,000 places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3345/04]

Freagraí scríofa

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

The total funding allocation for employment schemes in 2004 has been fixed at €351million, which will support up to 25,000 places across the three employment schemes, that is, community employment, job initiative and social economy. FÁS is being given some flexibility in the management of this financial allocation to maximise progression to the labour market while at the same time facilitating the support of community services. I have no plans to increase participation levels on community employment above the level that will prove possible based on the funding provided in budget 2004.