Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 371: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Government has plans to increase the funding available to a centre (details supplied) in County Mayo, in order to ensure that those who choose to can live their lives independently; and if he has plans to mainstream community employment schemes in order to address the insecurity of losing personal assistants after a three to four year term. [37802/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The main purpose of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to provide work experience and training for the long term unemployed and disadvantaged groups (including those with a disability) and thereby enable participants to advance successfully to employment in 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. The programme is implemented and managed for this purpose having regard to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community.

In November 2004 following a review of FÁS Employment Schemes (Community Employment, Job Initiative and Social Economy), I announced that the 3 year cap for participants on Community Employment had been raised to 6 years for those over 55. I also announced on that occasion that Community Employment places supporting the delivery of health services would continue to be ring-fenced. There are currently no plans to mainstream these Community Employment places.

I am informed by FÁS that at present the Castlebar Centre for Independent Living has 15 community employment participants and one supervisor.