Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Community Employment Schemes

11:00 pm

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if core funding will be provided for community employment positions which are currently supporting personal social services for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12075/06]

Photo of Tony KilleenTony Killeen (Clare, 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 by giving them 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-develop both their technical and personal skills. The ring-fencing and prioritisation of places for health related services, including those for persons with disabilities, was introduced in order to maintain the delivery of essential services. As a result health-related service provision levels have been maintained at a constant level.

CE 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 the health services generally are not a matter for this Department.

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