David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on easing the conditions relating to employment under the FÁS scheme in view of unprecedented unemployment here; her further views on increasing the three years maximum employment term allowed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39584/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, 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. 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.

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.