John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will restore the numbers on community employment schemes to their 2002 level; the funding necessary for such an initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18168/05]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the average cost to the State of each community employment place in 2004. [18170/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 276 together.

FÁS employment programmes, which comprise community employment, CE, social economy and job initiative, will provide a total of 25,000 places in 2005 at a cost in the region of €368 million, of which €293 million is in respect of CE. CE places rose by 2,346 during 2004.

I am informed by FÁS that the cost to it of supporting the additional places necessary to bring the total places on CE this year to 25,000 — this being the level of placement at the end of 2002 — would be €46 million. I am also informed by FÁS that the average cost of a CE place in 2004 was €13,500. I have no plans to increase the substantial level of funding allocated to FÁS this year for the administration of employment programmes.