Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

As the Deputy is probably aware, the schemes transferred from the old FÁS to my Department on 1 January last. I am determined that the important social contribution of community employment schemes, in delivering social services in communities across the country, will be recognised. I am keen to ensure those who participate in the scheme enjoy good experiences which help them to get back to work or education and training. That is really important. The transfer of the former FÁS staff who were working on these schemes to the Department of Social Protection, where they have become departmental community services officers and employment officers, is probably one of the biggest reforms ever to be undertaken in the Irish public service. Under the Croke Park agreement, some 1,700 people, including HSE and FÁS officials, have transferred. As I said in my reply, more than 23,000 people are participating in schemes alongside approximately 1,400 supervisors.

A great deal of valuable work is being completed by the officials who used to work in FÁS but are now working in the Department of Social Protection, in conjunction with the sponsors and the community employment supervisors. Everybody is aware that this country is enduring a period of acute unemployment. We have to ensure not only that we continue the valuable social services and other services that are supplied by these schemes, but also that the people on the schemes enjoy quality experiences. Those who have become unemployed more recently should also get an opportunity to take part in community employment schemes. Overall expenditure on labour supports like community employment, including JobBridge and Tús, both of which are being availed of by some community organisations, has increased this year. Dialogue with the scheme sponsors and supervisors is really important in ensuring that we build better schemes.

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