Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will cut the amount received by participants on community employment schemes beyond what was reduced as a result of social welfare cuts in budget 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1210/10]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding plans of FÁS to cut payments to community employment participants; the impact that this will have on the rural social scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1398/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 191 together.

As part of Budget 2010 a number of savings were identified in relation to Community Employment (CE). These changes were mainly in the area of training allowances that are linked to Social Welfare payments and certain FÁS Allowances that are provided in addition to the core training allowances. The FÁS training allowance for Community Employment and Job Initiative participants has been reduced from €24.40 and €48.80 per week to €20 and €40 per week respectively. In addition, new entrants to FÁS training programmes will only be paid an allowance if they had been entitled to Job Seekers Allowance or Job Seekers Benefit.

The funding in respect of training and materials for those on CE programmes will be reduced from €1,500 to €750 per head per annum. These savings will allow for an increase of 500 CE places bringing the total number of places available to 23,300. The changes in CE do not have implications for the Rural Social Scheme which is under the aegis of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

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. I am keeping the operation of the Scheme under constant review in the context of the current difficult unemployment situation.