To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if an analysis has been carried out regarding the locations in which community employment places have been lost, to see if there is a discrepancy between areas; and if it is intended to carry out such analysis.
Ref No: 23233|03

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the consultation which has been made with groups in Neilstown, Rowlagh, Quarryvale, Ronanstown, Bawnogue, Clondalkin, Lucan, Saggart, Rathcoole, Newcastle, Brittas and Palmerstown regarding a replacement for community employment schemes; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that community groups feel there was inadequate consultation; the consultation which will take place in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ref No: 23234|03

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is a transitional arrangement proposed between the end of the community employment schemes and the beginning of rumoured new non-FÁS related community schemes; if the expertise of FÁS will be leveraged during such a transitional period; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ref No: 23235|03

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are plans to review the budget of FÁS or its successor in relation to community employment schemes and other community schemes due to the inadequacies of the current situation whereby an annual budget for 2003 is only made available in June, affecting many community schemes which had to close or cut back due to lack of clarity on funding.

Reply:

The community employment (CE) programme is currently under review. An overall appraisal of active labour market programmes, including CE, is being carried out under the aegis of the Standing Committee on the Labour Market, which is chaired by my Department. This process involves consultation with the Social Partners, Government Departments and FÁS. In addition, a cross-departmental senior officials group has been asked to consider options for the future of CE, taking account of the link with the provision of community services. The work of this group is well advanced. FAS is also currently completing an internal review of CE and the job initiative programme (JI). A decision on the future funding and structure of CE and JI, including matters relating to the participation of disadvantaged groups such as persons with disabilities and older workers, will be taken in the context of the Estimates provision for 2004, having regard to the outcome of the current review process.

The provision of funding for CE for 2003 is €274m, which will provide for a year-end participation rate of 20,000 places. FÁS is attempting to allocate CE resources to individual projects and within regions as equitably as possible. Projects are prioritised based on the services provided. Drugs Task Force activity and childcare service provision are ring-fenced from any reductions and projects in RAPID areas are given priority. CE places in the health sector (which includes personal assistant services) are being maintained at existing levels to ensure continuity of the delivery of these services. A reduction in CE places of 20% on average around the country is being implemented by FÁS. However, the prioritisation of the essential services outlined will result in some locations taking a reduction in places above the average level.

Over the past year I have personally met with many public representatives and community groups from around the country. More formal consultation with the Social Partners is ongoing through the Standing Committee on the Labour Market and in other fora and, I would expect this to continue for the foreseeable future.

To ask the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment what new schemes are planned to compensate for the devestation caused by the closure of the Jobs Club, the cutting of the Local Training Initiative (LTI) budget and the freeze on replacing CE staff at Clondalkin Centre for the Unemployed?

To ask the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment whether she will intervene to save the valuable computer project at Clondalkin Centre for the Unemployed which is now at risk due to cuts?

To ask the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment what steps are being taken to minimise the obvious impact of the freeze on replacing CE staff in North Clondalkin and South Lucan including CYC Clondalkin and Balgaddy, Neilstown Communty Centre, Quarryvale Residents Association, Ronanstown Community Centre, Ronanstown Women's CDP, Rowlagh Community Centre and The Get Ahead Club?

To ask the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what measures will be implemented at North Clondalkin Community Development Partnership to counteract the loss of staff due to the Canal Development CE project closure?

To ask the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment what measures are in place to compensate for the loss of the Jobs Club at Rowlagh Community Centre

To ask the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment or the Minister for Social Community and Family Affairs to list the organisations in Brittas * that will not be able to replace CE staff following a freeze on recruitment, and whether alternative arrangements are being made to minimise the impact and if she will make a statement on the matter.

(same question tabled for Clondalkin,Lucan, Palmerstown, Quarryvale, Newcastle, Saggart and Rathcoole.)

Reason for disallowing of questions:

The Tanaiste has no official responsibility for these matters whcih are operational matters for FAS as part of their responsibilities under the Labour Services Act 1987,.