Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 80: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of social employment schemes and community employment schemes in the years 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2009 in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5367/09]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Employment Scheme, Teamwork, Enterprise and Community Enterprise Programmes were replaced by the Community Employment Programme.

During 1996, 103,300 (6.9%) persons were classified as long-term unemployed. This figure reduced substantially to 20,200 (1.2%) in March-April 2001. The numbers participating on CE were adjusted to take into account the changing labour market environment existing at the time. Numbers on CE have remained static since 2005.

The Social Economy Programme was launched in September 2000, however, no Social Economy enterprises commenced in that year. On 1 January 2006 the Social Economy Programme transferred to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, where it was subsequently renamed the Community Services Programme. The programme is managed by Pobal on behalf of Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The information sought by the Deputy is contained in the following table. Details of the number of schemes for the years 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000 are unavailable as FÁS did not maintain records the relevant records for those years. However, for these particular years, the number of participants on the various schemes are available and have been provided. Information on the number of schemes for the years 2005 and 2009 are shown in bold text.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the members of the public who can apply to go on community employment schemes; the length of time a person can participate in a scheme; the amount paid to participants per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5368/09]

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.

The criteria for participating on the Community Employment programme are based on age and length of time in receipt of various social welfare payments. In general, the Part-time Integration Option is for people of 25 or over who are receiving social welfare payments for 1 year or more, and people of 18 years or over in receipt of disability-related payments. The Part-time Job Option is for people who are 35 or over and in receipt of social welfare payments for three years or longer.

Certain groups such as travellers and refugees aged 18 or over are eligible for both options. If a person qualifies under the criteria but does not wish to take up the option themselves, there are certain conditions under which a spousal swap can take place.

The maximum duration that individuals can remain on CE is dependent on the participant' eligibility status. Typically, participants can avail of periods of between one and six years. To cater for older workers in particular, in November 2004 the standard three year CE cap was revised to allow those of 55 years of age and over to avail of a six-year period on CE (based on participation since 3 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 one 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.

FÁS provides financial support in the form of Allowances and Funding to assist with the Community Employment programme, for example participant wages, supervisor grants, materials grants, and specific skills training grants. With effect from 1 January 2009 participants (temporary/part-time) receive the following payments:

Payments are made weekly by the Sponsor and are liable to tax and PRSI deductions. Participants rates are based on a 19.5 week or a 39 hours every two weeks (this is determined by the Sponsor in conjunction with FÁS). Further information on the Community Employment Programme is available from the FÁS website www.fás.ie.