Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 83: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her proposals to redress the consequences of mistakes made by FÁS in regard to the community employment scheme contracts of persons (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5413/09]

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 (including those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis.

To cater for older workers in particular, in November 2004 the three year CE capping 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). These measures were introduced in recognition of the fact that older participants may find it more difficult to progress into the open labour market.

Participation on Community Employment has an upper age limit of 65 years of age, i.e. a CE participant/Supervisor can remain on CE until the day before their 66th birthday, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. FÁS cannot make funding available to a Sponsor for any participant or Supervisor aged 66 years or over. To do so would mean that the state would effectively be double-funding both the CE place and the participant's state pension simultaneously.

I understand that both people are currently on the Community Employment Project with Waterford City Council. The FÁS database showed one persons date of birth as being 3 February, 1946, and it was not until after the award of the contract that the error was discovered. With regard to the other person, the fact that he would reach retirement age in December 2008 was also overlooked.

Arrangements have, however, been made by FÁS representatives to meet with both participants on Friday, 13 February, 2009, to discuss the situation further and see how the matter can be resolved.

Any inconvenience caused is very much regretted.

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 84: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to redesign the community employment scheme to respond to the new economic situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5433/09]

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 aim of 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. FÁS makes every effort to ensure that differing levels of demand between neighbouring schemes are equalised. FÁS also operates the programme flexibly as far as possible to ensure the continuation of community projects.

This Government will continue to support the positive role of CE in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons while at the same time providing essential services to communities. The Community Employment Scheme will be kept under constant review in the context of the current difficult unemployment situation.