Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 651: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of FÁS schemes that can not fill vacancies due to the six year cap for those over the age of 55 years; if he will reconsider the capping regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1867/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by FÁS that it is not currently aware of any Community Employment projects that cannot fill vacancies due to the six year cap for those aged over 55 years.

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 and develop both their technical and personal skills. The criteria for participating on the Community Employment programme are based on age and length of time in receipt of various social welfare payments.

To cater for older workers in particular, in November 2004 I revised the standard 3 year CE capping 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 (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 6,646 people over 55 years of age on CE representing 29.5% of the overall CE population.

Notwithstanding this enhanced access for those in 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. However, it should be remembered that, in so far as participants remain on CE, they are precluding someone else from benefiting from the programme.

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 FÁS\Local Employment Service Offices are available to provide information on other employment and training opportunities which may be available in the local community.

In conclusion then, I would say that this Government will continue to support into the future the positive role of CE in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons while at the same time providing essential services to communities. In this regard, we are keeping the operation of the Scheme under constant review.