Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons on community employment places at 1 January 2003, 1 January 2004 and 1 January 2005; the anticipated number at 31 December 2005; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by many community and voluntary groups due to the shortage of community employment places; if changes are planned with regard to eligibility to participate in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6157/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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FÁS employment programmes, which comprise community employment, social economy and job initiative, will provide a total of 25,000 places in 2005. I am informed by FÁS that the number of participants on community employment was 24,991 in January, 2003, 19,848 in January 2004 and 22,194 in January 2005.

On foot of a review of FÁS employment schemes, which included detailed consultations with the social partners, I decided that with effect from 10 November 2004 the three year cap would be removed for CE participants aged 55 or over. This category of participants is now eligible to participate on community employment for a maximum of six years. The extension of the participation cap from three to six years for over 55s should ensure that there will be sufficient clients to fill the available places. The practice of ring-fencing and prioritisation for the essential services of child care, health related services and drugs task force clients are being maintained.

The continuation 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.