Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if community employment participants aged 60 years are having their appointments terminated; if this is in line with her Department's policy in relation to the review of people over 55 years and duration of community employment schemes; when that review will be finalised; if persons aged 55 years or over should be retained until such time as that review has taken place; and if there is a seven year duration limit on community employment placements. [42653/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North 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 April 2000 the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment introduced capped 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). 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. To cater for older workers in particular, in November 2004 Minister Micheál Martin revised the 3-year CE capping to allow those of 55 years of age and over to avail of a 6-year overall period on CE (based on participation since 3rd April 2000). This was in recognition of the fact that older participants may find it more difficult to progress into employment. Community Employment participants aged 60 years are not having their participation on CE terminated, except where they have completed their eligibility to participate on the programme.

The aim of CE still remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. There is a wide range of client groups which need access to CE — lone parents, persons with disabilities, stabilised substance abusers and unemployed persons. FÁS at all times is obliged to accommodate the needs of all these groups in terms of participation on Community Employment. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the 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.