Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 453: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on extending the age limit for participation in community employment schemes in line with the Government's policy of promoting participation in the workforce beyond the age of 65 years. [35848/06]

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 basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the open labour market 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.

With effect from 10 November 2004 those aged 55 years of age and over are eligible to participate on CE for a maximum period of 6 years, based on participation since 3rd April 2000. In June 2006 the participation limit for people with a disability was increased by 1 year. These measures were introduced in recognition of the fact that older participants and participants with a disability may find it more difficult to progress into the open labour market.