Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if islanders are treated differently in relation to the eligibility of FÁS schemes, details supplied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16124/04]

Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Government's decision in 1999 to restructure community employment, CE, future participation in CE by an individual was capped at three years, effective from April 2000. Offshore island residents are exempt from this change. Aughinish is not an offshore island and participants in projects such as the one at Aughinish are subject to the general CE eligibility criteria.

The three year cap was amended in August 2001 to allow particularly disadvantaged persons to remain on the programme for a further period. Participants are considered for such an extension if, on reaching the end of their normal entitlements on CE, they are likely to experience difficulty in getting employment. In general, approximately 20% of participants on CE may benefit from an additional year on the programme under the current flexibility guidelines. The eligibility of individual participants for extensions under these rules is a matter for FÁS.