Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Reflecting on the last contribution we have to be allowed a few cakes and ale over Christmas.

I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter on the Adjournment. This matter is of grave concern in County Tipperary as I am sure it is in County Cavan likewise. It concerns community employment schemes and how they are structured with a limit on the number of years. Even a person over the age of 55 can work on a community employment scheme. There is also a three-year limit for people under 55. Nobody is arguing that young able-bodied people entering the workforce should be allowed stay for an unlimited period on FÁS schemes. We are talking overwhelmingly about people over the age of 35 who, for one reason or another, whether it is their skills, training or the opportunities available, community employment suits their circumstances. There is not a ready alternative but also innumerable local voluntary organisations rely heavily on these schemes to keep their heads above water.

Until 2001 these schemes were administered more flexibly. We are facing a situation in Tipperary where, if there is no change in the position, up to half or more of those on community employment schemes will have to leave and, in many case, will not be readily replaced, both to the detriment of the individuals and the organisations for which they work and where they have developed the skills required to carry out the functions required. The scheme suits everybody and the cost is not great. Five or six years ago when the decision was taken and we were heading into full employment people wondered whether there was a need for the scheme. I do not know what the position is in the major centres of population, I only know the position in the country.

An agitated meeting took place in Dundrum because in some cases schemes will be decimated from mid-January. As a matter of acute urgency the Government must look at the rules. There is not a great deal of money involved. Nobody is arguing for an increase in the numbers. We are talking about individuals who are suited to the particular jobs being able to stay on. Obviously where jobs are being mainstreamed and made permanent by other authorities there would be no particular problem. It is a matter about which the trade union movement is concerned. I have no doubt the matter will be raised at social partnership talks. SIPTU is talking about having a march to the Dáil on the matter. I do not wish to be critical of our Ministers in this area but they tend to come from the large cities and centres of population where the problems and the perspectives may be different. In rural Ireland community employment schemes matter and they serve a vital role.

Given the healthy state of the economy and the finances why is it not possible to have the degree of flexibility that existed up to three or four years ago? As there is probably a Cavan interest as well as a Tipperary interest in this matter, I ask the Minister of State to do his best to communicate my concerns to the Minister responsible to have an urgent look at the problem before we get into a serious situation. Perhaps, the application of some of the rules could be suspended while the matter is being looked at.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank Senator Mansergh for raising this important matter and articulating so well his concerns about an issue that is of importance to many individuals and communities.

The primary purpose of community employment as an active labour market programme is to reintegrate long-term unemployed persons into open labour market jobs. Community employment provides unemployed people with temporary opportunities whereby they can develop their skills and obtain a recent track record of work experience.

FÁS is continuing to develop the content of the community employment programme. The new approach will see the introduction of an individual learner planning process which will focus on meeting the learning needs of participants. The individual learner plan will provide for the planning, organising and recording of the work experience, training and development each community employment participant receives while working on the programme. It also includes further training and development for supervisors, a new application process and quality assurance procedures. The new approach should provide substantial benefits to FÁS clients and give increased value for the training budget invested.

In 1999, the community employment programme was restructured to limit participation by new participants to three years, with effect from April 2000. This change was introduced to discourage repeated participation in community employment and to encourage unemployed persons to avail of training, education and employment options where possible. However, this three year cap was amended in August 2001 to allow particularly disadvantaged persons to remain on the programme for a further period. Approximately 20% of participants, including persons under 55 years of age, have benefited from an additional year on the programme under the flexibility guidelines introduced in August 2001.

On foot of a review of FÁS employment schemes, which included detailed consultations with the social partners, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment introduced changes to community employment and other employment schemes with effect from 10 November 2004. The three year cap was removed for persons aged 55 or older. This means that those over 55 are now eligible to participate on community employment programmes for a maximum of six years. In the case of persons advancing beyond 55 years during their normal period of service on community employment, participation can also be extended for up to a maximum of six years. This change was designed to address the particular difficulty of finding replacements to participate in community employment schemes in certain rural areas. It also helps to secure the continuity of community services generally. Combined with the rural social scheme, under the aegis of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, where 2,500 places are available, the existing community service support framework will be maintained.

The current ring fencing and prioritisation procedures for the essential services of child care, health related services and drugs task force clients, are being maintained. Community employment will remain as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression to employment. For those aged under 55, the normal service of up to a maximum of three years will continue to apply, subject to the current flexibility guidelines administered by FÁS.

In addition to the changes introduced to community employment programmes, it was also announced last November that participants remaining on job initiative schemes will have their contracts renewed on an annual basis. Participants who leave that programme voluntarily will be replaced by community employment participants to support the service being provided.

There will be no compulsory cessation of social economy programmes, which play a very valuable role in communities throughout the country. In situations where an enterprise decides itself to cease activity, the employees affected will be assisted by FÁS in finding alternative employment. From 1 January 2006, the social economy programme will be transferred to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and will be administered by Pobail, formerly known as ADM.

It was also announced in November 2004 that there would be 25,000 places overall on FÁS employment programmes which comprise community employment, social economy and job initiative. In fact, the latest figures show the total number of places on the three programmes is 900 in excess of this figure, with community employment places at over 22,300, which represents an increase of over 100 places compared with the end of 2004.

The Government will continue to support the positive role of community employment in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons, while at the same time providing essential services to communities. I assure Senator Mansergh that I will bring the contents of his worthwhile contribution to the attention of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment as soon as the transcript becomes available.

Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He stated that social economy programmes will be transferred to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs from 2006. Does that include all FÁS employment schemes?

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My understanding is that this will not apply to all schemes, but I will check on the demarcation.

Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would be grateful for that because the meaning of the statement is not entirely clear.

In the case of those over 55, the issue of reintegration into the work force does not apply and is not relevant. Would it be possible — assuming that the places are available and might otherwise be vacant — that when the six years have elapsed the community employment contract could be renewed on an annual, discretionary basis? Similarly, for those over 35, where the three years have elapsed, the personal and organisational circumstances allow continuation and there is no queue of people waiting to take the place, could the contract be renewed on an annual, discretionary basis? It would be very helpful if the scheme could be made more flexible in that way.