Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if women who are claiming deserted wife's benefit are disqualified from participating in a community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30971/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The main purpose of the community employment programme administered 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.

I am informed by FÁS that with effect from 5 October 2000 persons aged 25 or over and in receipt of deserted wife's benefit for 12 months or more are eligible to participate in community employment. There are 234 participants in this category on community employment.