Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2004
104 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the action she is taking to pursue the recommendations of the report, A Review of the Social Economy, by a company (details supplied). [5452/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraA review of the social economy programme was undertaken by WRC Social and Economic Consultants. The report presents three options with respect to the future direction of the programme: revitalisation option — abandon the SEP as it is currently designed and operated, break the established policy practice of providing funding to enterprises in the social economy through active labour market programmes; reform option — acknowledge the main limitations of the SEP and attempt to improve its continued operation based on the recommendations of stakeholder groups; and transition option — acknowledge the main limitations of the SEP and attempt to improve its continued operation based on the recommendations of stakeholder groups.
The report is currently being considered by FÁS and my Department, taking account of the views of the social economy programme monitoring committee, and a decision in relation to the future direction of the programme will be made in due course.
105 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she proposes to lift the embargo on recruitment for social economy enterprises; and if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by those in disadvantaged areas as a result of the embargo. [5453/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe social economy programme supports the development of social economy enterprises and provides sustainable jobs for the long-term unemployed.
A total allocation of €351 million is being provided in 2004 to support up to 25,000 places across the three employment schemes, community employment, job initiative and the social economy programme. Of this, more than €40 million is being allocated to the social economy programme.
The demands for assistance under this programme far exceed the budget available. FÁS is scheduling the support to approved projects so as to ensure as equitable a distribution of funds as possible. In the circumstances it is not possible to satisfy all demands and some enterprises will be disappointed.
