Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Following his recent appointment, the Minister reviewed the policy on the operation of the FÁS employment schemes, which comprise community employment, job initiative, and social economy programmes. In undertaking this review, he took fully into account the views and concerns expressed by various interest groups and other key stakeholders, including the social partners.

On foot of this review, the Minister decided that the following changes would take effect as and from 10 November 2004. There will be no compulsory lay-offs on the job initiative scheme and participants who remain on the scheme will have their contracts renewed. People who leave it voluntarily will be replaced by community employment participants to support the service being provided. There will be no compulsory cessation of social economy programmes which play a valuable role in communities. In situations where an enterprise decides to cease activity, the employees affected will be assisted by FÁS in finding alternative employment. The three-year cap will be removed for community employment participants aged over 55. This category of participants will be eligible to participate on the schemes for a maximum of six years. In the case of people advancing beyond 55 years during their normal period of service on community employment, participation can be extended for up to a maximum of six years. The ring fencing and prioritisation of the essential services of child care, health related services and drugs task force clients will be maintained.

Community employment will remain as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression to employment. Despite the buoyant labour market, the continuing high level of inward migration and low unemployment, there is still a need for these schemes for people who find it difficult to secure employment. Thus, in 2005 there will be 25,000 places overall on community employment schemes, job initiative schemes and social economy programmes. These employment schemes have made a major contribution towards the provision of a network of valuable community services throughout the country. Equally, they offer participants the opportunity of work experience in a wide range of disciplines which equips them in time to progress to full-time employment in the open labour market. There are no plans to make any changes to existing FÁS training schemes.

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