Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his policy on providing sustained support, including core funding, for community employment positions currently supporting personal social services for people with disabilities; the steps he proposes to take to allow people to take such careers onto a more satisfactory income stream with a greater degree of certainty than that which they currently enjoy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6274/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The main purpose of the community employment, CE, programme operated by FÁS is to provide work experience and training for the long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged persons, including those with a disability, and an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed-term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine, and to assist them to enhance and develop both their technical and personal skills.

The ring-fencing and prioritisation of places for health related services, including those for persons with disabilities, were introduced to maintain the delivery of essential services. As a result, health related service provision levels have been maintained at a constant level.

The aim of CE still remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. The programme is managed within this context and with consideration to the needs of participants and the community, and the demand for CE resources from those organisations delivering services. Decisions regarding the provision of core funding for personal social services are not a matter for my Department.