Róisín Shortall
Question:578 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department's position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24366/01]
Written Answers. - Community Employment Schemes.
I have recently secured the transfer of £46 million per annum to my Department on a phased basis as the FÁS school-based community employment schemes come to an end. In the discussions that took place in connection with the transfer of funding, I agreed with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS that all school-based CE participants with a legitimate expectation of up to three years participation in a school based CE scheme will be facilitated to complete their full term. This adjustment to the phasing out of CE schemes in schools means that certain CE participants may be entitled to continue working on CE in schools up to and including 2004 depending on their individual circumstances and entitlements under CE. This adjustment should also ensure that the withdrawal of CE schemes takes place on a more gradual basis and therefore reduce the immediate impact on schools.
I am aware that FÁS has issued guidelines to its regional offices that reflect the agreement I have referred to above. In the case referred to by the Deputy it appears that the person in question should be entitled to complete the third year of her community employment in the school in which she is currently based. In the circumstances it appears to me that the person in question should contact her local FÁS office and seek to clarify the position.
Finally, schools that used CE participants as classroom assistants to assist with the care of pupils with disabilities should note that my Department has a special needs assistant scheme in place for such purposes. School authorities may apply for the services of a special needs assistant to assist in catering for pupils with special care needs arising from a disability. Further details on the operation of the special needs assistant scheme are available from the special education section, Department of Education and Science, Athlone, County Westmeath.