asked the Minister for Labour if he will devise a scheme under the auspices of FÁS whereby unemployed people are enabled to take part in voluntary works of community benefit sponsored by community associations or other organisations without loss of benefit.

FÁS already operate a number of programmes under which projects may be sponsored by local or voluntary groups which are of significant benefit to the local community. However, participants receive a training or other allowance rather than retaining their existing social welfare entitlements. I do not propose any change to that situation.

There is a voluntary work scheme for the unemployed operated by the Department of Social Welfare. This scheme was the subject of a parliamentary question to the Minister for Social Welfare on 17 December, 1987.

I am aware that there is a voluntary work scheme provided by the Department of Social Welfare. However, my question relates to how that can be co-ordinated so that people who wish to take part in voluntary work can, first know that there is a scheme available and, secondly, have it co-ordinated to the extent that it is of benefit to the community as well? Will the Minister agree that FÁS would be the ideal body to co-ordinate such schemes, undertaken perhaps by voluntary organisations, so that unemployed people know they are available? At present, most unemployed people do not know that they may safely engage in voluntary work.

That is a valid and reasonable point. The Department of Social Welfare would have to be consulted, they started the scheme as people were being penalised because they were involved. I should love to see a better co-ordinated scheme.