Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The Senator can take it as a given that all existing schemes will be kept under constant review. As stated, an unprecedented number of unemployed persons are looking for opportunities. Although the community employment scheme has its critics who say it is not sufficiently close to the labour market, many of us realise it offers very valuable experience to certain individuals in communities throughout the country.

As the integration of FÁS with my Department proceeds, community employment schemes will come more closely within the Department's remit. Pobal and the partnership companies will be included in the remit of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and there will be a certain amount of change. However, the important element of the changes is giving persons who are unemployed opportunities in order that they will believe they have valuable options they can exercise in work, education and training placements. The spin-off effect is to be felt in the contribution they make in community work. I will keep the matter under constant review.