Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004
167 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she plans to further reduce the number of participants in the jobs initiative scheme in 2004; her long-term plans for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5288/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total funding allocation for employment schemes in 2004 has been fixed at €351 million, which will support up to 25,000 places across the three employment schemes: 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.
Funding has been provided to ensure that target participation levels on the job initiative programme can be maintained at its current level for 2004, which is in the region of 2,200. However, the future structure of the community employment and job initiative programmes remains under review by a group of senior officials and FÁS, and this group will report to Ministers on the outcome of their deliberations shortly. Any decisions regarding the future structure of the job initiative scheme will be taken in that context.
