John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress being made in relation to mainstreaming community employment schemes for those participants working with disabled people as personal assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9318/07]

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 groups — such as Persons with a Disability, with an opportunity to engage in training and work experience within their communities on a temporary basis. There are approximately 3,000 CE participants inclusive of CE supervisors actively participating in health related services on this programme. An important element of these CE places is the learning that takes place and the qualifications that are gained by FÁS participants through these projects.

The CE programme with its focus on the needs of disadvantaged persons forms a major part of the FÁS response to tackling social exclusion, particularly with reference to Persons with a Disability.

The provision of labour market services to Persons with a Disability is a key priority of the FÁS Statement of Strategy, 2006-2009. In order to facilitate the continuity of provision of health related services to local communities FÁS has ring-fenced and continues to maintain the number of places that provide such services.