Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if core funding for community employment projects will be made available for the Irish Wheelchair Association at its many outreach centres here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that most wheelchair association groups are reliant on community employment participants; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this particular avenue of opportunity is steadily closing down all over the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35001/05]

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.

On 10 November 2004, following a review of FÁS employment schemes, community employment, job initiative and social economy programmes, I announced that community employment places supporting the delivery of health services will continue to be ring-fenced. These arrangements will be of benefit to the Irish Wheelchair Association as regards the provision of carers.

Decisions regarding the provision of core funding for the Irish Wheelchair Association and the health services generally, is a matter for the Department of Health and Children.