Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 142: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will alter community employment eligibility criteria to allow for the fact that once budget 2009 proposals to limit the duration of jobseeker payments to nine months become law thousands of applicants may no longer qualify for community employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43038/08]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 143: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if someone who received a jobseekers benefit payment for 12 months but after which has no entitlement to jobseekers allowance, can apply in advance of the lapsing of the 12 months for community employment and will be deemed eligible; and the way, in view of the budget 2009 proposals to limit jobseekers benefit from 15 to 12 months for unemployed people with more than 260 credits, she proposes to match CE criteria to such applicants. [43073/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 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. The purpose of CE is to help 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.

The current eligibility criteria set by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for entry onto the Community Employment programme allows for the combination of periods on different social welfare payments provided they add up to at least 12 consecutive months (where applicable) and the person is currently in receipt of the payment at the time of application. Persons in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit can normally apply for Jobseekers Allowance when their contribution-based payment is exhausted. This would maintain the continuity to make up the 12-month eligibility period.

As Jobseekers Allowance is a means-tested social welfare payment, a person's means has to exceed the rate payable under their particular circumstances (adult/child dependents etc) to be ineligible for this payment. If this is the case then possibly CE would not be the most appropriate intervention in this circumstance and another FÁS labour market intervention may be more suitable for that person.

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.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 144: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of people on community employment schemes at present; and the number budgeted for in 2009. [43074/08]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 145: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of people on jobs initiative schemes at present; and the number budgeted for in 2009. [43075/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.

I am advised by FÁS that the number of people on Community Employment schemes as at the end of October 2008 was 22,297 (20,879 participants and 1,418 supervisors). It is presently envisaged that the numbers will be maintained at similar levels in 2009. In relation to Job Initiative I understand that there were 1,476 participants at end October 2008. It is presently envisaged that the numbers will be maintained at similar levels in 2009, subject to retirements and voluntary exits.