John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

"supports the Government's continuing commitment to the community employment programme, notes the Government is honouring a commitment made under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, and affirms the continued relevance of the programme as a labour market integration measure for the long-term unemployed, and the important contribution of community employment to community services."

The purpose of community employment is as a transitional programme to provide work experience and training for the long-term unemployed with a view to their reintegration into open labour market employment. In accordance with the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure community employment, participation levels are gradually being reduced, reflecting the significant reduction in the number of long-term unemployed and the shift in emphasis away from work experience programmes to training, from which there is a greater level of progression to employment. The estimated year-end participation rate for 2002 is 25,000.