Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the duration of employment which applies to participation in community employment schemes and other job initiatives; and his views on relaxing these periods particularly if a worker is aged 50 years and over to ensure when such people are made redundant, they have the opportunity to quickly reintegrate back into the workplace, bearing in mind the growing priority in public policy for continued active participation by workers who might otherwise consider early retirement. [22086/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On 10 November 2004, I announced, effective from that date, there will be no compulsory lay-offs on the Job Initiative Scheme (JI). Participants who remain on JI will have their contracts renewed indefinitely. 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 fixed-term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their cycle of unemployment through a return to a work routine. It also assists them in the enhancement and development of 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 3 years, effective from April, 2000. This measure was introduced to facilitate the movement of participants through CE, allowing new participants who may not otherwise have such an opportunity, avail of the programme. However, depending on the circumstances, FÁS may approve additional time on a scheme in order to address the needs of individual participants or to maintain service provision. In November 2004 the 3 year CE cap was revised to allow those of 55 years of age and over to avail of a 6-year period on CE (based on participation since 3rd April 2000). This was in recognition of the fact that older participants may find it more difficult to progress into employment. 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, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community.