Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 589: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the guidelines regarding the length of time a category of people (details supplied) can stay on a scheme. [14355/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the guidelines regarding the length of time people (details supplied) can stay on a scheme. [14356/07]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 603: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will review the situation in relation to the eligibility of people at 59 years of age having completed the community employment scheme to continue on this scheme. [14896/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 589, 590 and 603 together.

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 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.

In April 2000 the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) introduced limits on the amount of time that a person could participate on CE (3-years total time on CE from 3rd April 2000 — participation on CE before this date is disregarded). 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.

To cater for older workers in particular, in November 2004 I revised the 3 year CE cap 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). Subsequently, the participation limit for persons eligible for CE based on a Social Welfare disability linked payment was increased by one 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.

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. I am informed by FÁS that participation limits will continue to be operated flexibly at local level. While there is no formal review taking place the operation of the scheme is kept under constant review. I would like to highlight that FÁS and Local Employment Service offices are available to provide information on other employment and training opportunities which may be available to those exiting CE.