Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am delighted to speak in favour of the amendment to the motion and to further support those Members who have commended the contribution the community employment programme has made in a huge number of areas.

The primary purpose of community employment was to provide a transitional programme of work experience and training for the long-term unemployed. The important word there is "transitional". The vast majority of the relevant concerned bodies, including Dublin inner city partnership and other social partners, accept that the community employment programme was originally designed for a time when there was large-scale long-term unemployment. Needs are now different and this programme must be developed and adapted. Given the significant reduction in the numbers of long-term unemployed, which now stands at 1.2% of the labour force, and the fact that 36,000 work permits were issued last year with the prospect of more being made available this year, changes must be made. FÁS is undertaking a full review of all the employment and training support services with a view to finding the most cost-effective way of enhancing the existing programme while maintaining the excellent service which has been provided to many community and social groups.

I am delighted to see the prioritising of certain essential areas. The 800 community employment places currently provided under the national drugs strategy action plan are ring-fenced and no reduction will be made, as is the case with the estimated 1,450 community employment places which provide child care services as part of the process of assisting unemployed parents to access labour market services. In addition, community employment schemes in RAPID areas, which account for 4,020 places, are prioritised to be maintained. Community employment places in the health sector, which include personal assistant services, are being maintained at the start of year level to ensure continuity of delivery.