Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will abolish the six year regulation for people over the age of 55 years who are employed on community employment schemes to enable them to continue working on CE schemes beyond the six year time limit in view of their limited employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21425/07]

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 persons (including those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce 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 limits were introduced 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). CE capping was introduced to facilitate the movement of participants through the programme, allowing new participants who may not otherwise have such an opportunity, avail of the programme.

Thereafter, to cater for older workers in particular, in November 2004 I revised the 3 year CE capping to allow those of 55 years of age and over to avail of a 6-year period on CE (again based on participation since 3rd April 2000). Subsequently, the participation limit for persons eligible for CE based on a Social Welfare disability linked payment (including those under 55) 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. Currently there are over 6,000 people over 55 years of age on CE. This represents circa 29% of those on CE, a figure which has increased from 25% at year end 2005.

Notwithstanding this enhanced access for those which fall into the over 55 age group, there is a wide range of other client groups which must also be given access to the opportunity CE provides e.g. Lone Parents, persons with disabilities, stabilised substance abusers and unemployed persons aged under 55. In the delivery of places locally, FÁS is obliged to balance the needs of all groups in terms of access to Community Employment.

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.

It should also be noted that persons may wish to avail of FÁS\Local Employment Service Offices which provide information on other employment and training opportunities which may be available to those in local communities exiting or ineligible for Community Employment Schemes.