Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his proposals to meet the concerns of a group (details supplied) in County Mayo regarding the community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34225/04]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 514: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the extension which permits persons who are over 55 to serve six years participation on community employment schemes, commences from 2000 or 2004; when this extension was announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1016/05]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of disabled persons affected by the closure of community employment schemes in north Tipperary and nationally; the number of persons affected by the same closures in total in north Tipperary and nationally; the number of employers which have employed persons in north Tipperary and nationally on the community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1056/05]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 516: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans in relation to those affected by the closure of community employment schemes across the country; his plans for disabled persons affected by the closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1057/05]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 517: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans for those in north Tipperary affected by the closure of community employment schemes; his plans for disabled persons in north Tipperary adversely affected by these closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1058/05]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the instructions which have been laid down by him in respect of the recent changes in the community employment schemes for the over 55s. [1569/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 511, 514 to 517, inclusive, and 526 together.

FÁS employment programmes, which comprise community employment, social economy and job initiative, are being maintained this year at the same level as in 2004 at 25,000 places. Community employment provides work experience and training opportunities for the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups with the aim of assisting participants to progress to a job in the open labour market. There are specific eligibility criteria to facilitate persons with disabilities availing of opportunities on community employment schemes.

I have reviewed current policy on the operation of the FÁS employment schemes and on foot of this review I announced that with effect from 10 November 2004 the three-year cap would be removed for community employment participants aged 55 or over. Such persons are now eligible to participate on community employment for a maximum of six years, with the qualifying period beginning in April 2000. This arrangement will benefit substantially persons with disabilities.

The current ring-fencing and prioritisation for the essential services of child care, health related services and drugs task force clients are being maintained. The continuance of ring-fencing and the extended participation on community employment by older workers will help to secure the continuity of community services generally and will ensure that the existing community service support framework will be maintained.

The allocation of places and renewal of projects are administrative matters for FÁS. I am informed by FÁS that there were no community employment project closures in north Tipperary in 2004. Accordingly, no disabled persons have been affected by such closures.

FÁS has also informed me that currently there are 42 community employment projects in County Mayo with 765 participants, including people with disabilities. Finally I should add that last year the number of participants on community employment schemes nationally increased from 19,848 in January to 22,194 at year-end 2004.