Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason community employment places supporting the delivery of health services will continue to be ring-fenced; the reason such schemes will not be mainstreamed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27876/07]

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 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 order to support the delivery of essential services, the ring fencing of health related, Drugs Task Force and child care places was introduced in 2002/2003. As a result of this service provision levels continue to be maintained at a constant level. In November 2004, following a review of FÁS employment schemes (Community Employment, Job Initiative and Social Economy Programmes), I announced that Community Employment places supporting the delivery of health services will continue to be ring-fenced. However, in line with Government policy, there are currently no plans to mainstream these Community Employment places.

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.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are measures being put in place to assist in the filling of current vacancies on the midlands community employment scheme, regarding the provision of care to people with a disability; his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27877/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that FÁS funded Community Employment projects in the Midlands Region, which are providing a service to persons with disabilities in the local area, have been approved to recruit current vacancies up to the approved level. FÁS Employment Services is assisting CE projects in this recruitment process.