James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will abolish the stipulation whereby a person on a community employment scheme reaching age 55 will be able to continue indefinitely and not be subjected to a three year extension noting the fact that some will not be able to get employment on an open labour market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15445/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Community employment, CE, is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, 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 assisting them to enhance-develop both their technical and personal skills.

As part of the restructuring of CE approved in 1999, future participation in CE by an individual was capped at three years, effective from April 2000. This change was introduced to encourage unemployed persons to avail of training/education options where possible. The three year cap was amended in August 2001 to allow particularly disadvantaged persons to remain on the programme for a further period. In general, approximately 20% of participants, including persons less than 55 years of age, may benefit from an additional year on the programme under the flexibility guidelines introduced in August 2001. However, depending on the circumstances, FÁS may approve additional time on a scheme to address the needs of individual participants or to maintain service provision.

In November 2004, the three year CE cap was revised to allow those of 55 years of age and over to avail of a six year period on CE, based on participation since 3 April 2000. This was in recognition of the fact that older participants may find it more difficult to progress into employment. It also helps to maintain the provision of worthwhile community projects.