Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on providing funds for the expansion of the community employment and jobs initiative schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12319/09]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the policy changes or capacity increases she will introduce in the community employment scheme, the job initiative programme and in all FÁS administered schemes in view of changes in the economy and the labour market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13407/09]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 57 together.

FÁS as an agency of my Department operates the Community Employment (CE) and Job Initiative (JI) schemes. 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. Currently there are 22,283 participants on Community Employment. The Job Initiative Programme (JI) was launched in July 1996 and provides full time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more, and in receipt of Social Welfare payments over that period.

The main purpose of the programme is to assist long-term unemployed people to prepare for work opportunities by providing participants with work experience, training and development opportunities. The programme is sponsored by voluntary organisations and public bodies involved in not-for-profit activities. Currently there are 1,377 participants on Job Initiative. Following changes introduced on 10 November 2004 by Minister Micheál Martin there have been no compulsory lay-offs on the Job Initiative Schemes. Contracts for existing participants are renewed and CE participants to support the service being provided replace those who leave voluntarily.

This Government will continue to support the positive role of FÁS Employment Schemes in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons while at the same time providing essential services to communities. I am keeping the operation of the Schemes under constant review in the context of the current difficult unemployment situation.