Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he is taking to amend the social economy programme and the community employment scheme; if the community employment scheme will be operated going forward by another agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31937/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The main purpose of the community employment programme operated by FÁS is to provide work experience and training for the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged groups and thereby enable participants to advance successfully to employment in the open labour market.

Following a review of FÁS employment schemes — the community employment, job initiative and social economy programmes — on 10 November 2004 I announced that the three-year cap for participants on community employment would be raised to six years for those over 55 to ensure the maintenance of essential community services particularly in rural areas where it had been found that difficulties existed in finding replacement participants.

I have no plans at present to make any further changes of that type to the community employment scheme.

A review of the social economy programme highlighted the valuable role that it plays in the delivery of community services throughout the country. Discussions are taking place between my Department and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs about the possible transfer of the programme to that Department.