Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 583: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the jobs initiative scheme; the qualifying conditions attached thereto; if same will be renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10083/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Job Initiative programme provides full-time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more, and in receipt of Social Welfare payments over that period. The main purpose of the programme is to assist long-term unemployed people to prepare for work opportunities by providing participants with work experience, training and development opportunities.

FÁS provides financial support to assist with the Job Initiative programme, including participant wages. Also, while on the programme participants can retain entitlements such as medical cards or child dependant allowance, and be eligible for others such as Revenue Job Assist. Following changes which I introduced in November 2004 there have been no compulsory lay-offs on the Job Initiative Schemes. Contracts for existing participants are renewed and those who leave voluntarily are replaced by CE participants to support the service being provided. I have no plans to make any policy changes to the Job Initiative programme.