Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that FÁS recently removed funding to community employment schemes (details supplied); the impact this withdrawal will have on after schools education and support programmes; if she will review this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34955/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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From 1st January 2011 policy and funding responsibility for FÁS functions in relation to employment and community employment services was transferred to the Department of Social Protection in accordance with the provisions of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010. FÁS remains responsible for the day to day operation of community employment in accordance with the terms of a Service Agreement/Framework Document which it has concluded with the Department.

A number of community employment projects operate in support of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 to provide 1,000 work and training placements as part of the overall funding for the community employment programme. These work and training placements can be located in special CE projects or in designated CE positions in other CE projects as in the case with the organisation detailed. Specific criteria for the selection of placements and participants agreed with the sector representatives are in place. Further work is underway by the National Drug Rehabilitation Implementation Committee under the aegis of the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy to review the allocation of placements and recruitment procedures to ensure that effective referral protocols are in place.

FÁS has informed me that there has been no withdrawal or reduction in funding to the organisation detailed by the Deputy. As indicated during a Topical Issues Debate on this matter in this House on Tuesday the 8th November last, the conditions relating to the CE Drugs Rehabilitation Programme have not changed. The position is that, following a review process carried out by the CE Oversight Working Group during 2010, the conditions have been restated and the referral process has been clarified. A commitment has been given to the organisation concerned that those participants already engaged by it under the CE Drugs Rehabilitation Programme will not be detrimentally affected by the refocusing of recruitment procedures. Participant numbers supported by FÁS in the organisation will be maintained at their present level. My Department will continue to work with the Office of the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy and with FÁS to improve the effectiveness of this particular initiative.