Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, and I thank Deputy O'Mahony for raising it. This is an issue of great concern to many Members on foot of the useful work undertaken across the country by community employment projects.

Responsibility for community employment and a number of similar initiatives was recently transferred to the Department of Social Protection. In the coming months the Minister hopes to be in a position to consider afresh a number of aspects of the operation of these initiatives. Against the background of scarce resources, she wants to see where best outcomes - at best value - can be achieved in providing activation opportunities for people who are out of work. Community employment cannot be excluded from any consideration of this nature.

It is important to emphasise and remind Deputies that the purpose of community employment primarily involves developing the skills base and work readiness of individuals in order that they can re-enter the workforce after periods of unemployment or other absences. Community employment is an active labour market programme designed to provide opportunities to engage in useful work and training within communities on a fixed term basis with a view to progression to the labour market in the short term. The criteria for participating in community employment are based on individual circumstances related to age, length of time unemployed or absent from the labour market and in receipt of qualifying social welfare payments. The programme also focuses on those with more limited access to jobs and training opportunities. This latter client group will include lone parents, persons with disabilities, stabilised substance abusers, ex-prisoners, travellers and long-term unemployed persons.

Duration on the programme is limited to facilitate the progression of participants to the open labour market. This also allows for the movement of participants through the programme and opens opportunities for new participants to avail of the benefits offered. The number of places available was increased to 23,300 in 2010. The budgetary provision for 2011 will allow FÁS to continue the programme at the same level as 2010. In delivering these places, FÁS will continue to operate flexibly in the management of this allocation in order to maximise progression to the labour market, while at the same time facilitating the support of community services.

In conclusion, the Government will continue to support the positive role of FÁS employment schemes in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed person. The Minister is also conscious of the meaningful role community employment projects play in supporting services for and in communities the length and breadth of Ireland.

While there are no immediate plans to alter the current criteria for participants in community employment or to add to the number of places available, the Minister has asked me to say that she will be taking stock of its operation with a view to making improvements if these are found to be necessary.

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