Is it the Government's intention to axe 13,000 community employment scheme places, in flagrant breach of commitments made in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness? The Taoiseach will be aware of the value of such schemes to the countless number of community projects throughout every constituency and the damaging effect that the axing of these jobs will have on such projects, the communities they serve and, very particularly, the position of the people concerned. What plans does the Taoiseach have to offer alternatives, both to the community projects and the 13,000 gravely concerned about their positions?

It is not true that the number of places is being cut by 13,000. The year end figure for community employment scheme places is 25,000 with more than 10,000 involved in the various training schemes. I hope the good work of CE schemes in priority areas will continue.

I am even more alarmed at the Taoiseach's response. He said the figure was not 13,000, but did not say how many thousands would be directly affected and how many community group projects savaged as a result.

Does the Deputy have a question?

I am unclear about the Taoiseach's response. Sometimes the audio position in the House is not as it should be. Perhaps the Taoiseach will state the position with greater clarity.

The Deputy should not hold his breath.

The Taoiseach gave a figure less than 28,000, which I understand to be in breach of the commitments in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. What will replace these schemes, both in the lives of the individuals concerned and in the community projects which they will damagingly affect?

The Deputy is concerned that the number of CE scheme places will be cut by 13,000 because of something that he read and I told him not to be concerned. I mentioned an agreed year end figure of 25,000 places for last year. His concern that 13,000 people will be displaced and unemployed is not the position. The position is as I have outlined, with the year end figure at 25,000. Those who need to find another course, about whom the Deputy wants me to respond, are not being displaced. I cannot respond, therefore, about people who are not being displaced.

Are there plans to cut the number of places or does this echo the statements of the Minister for Finance prior to the general election?

The figure announced last year was that we would end up this year with 25,000 places on CE schemes in addition to training places. I do not have the exact number of training places, but I think it is 11,000 or 12,000. Those are the figures on which we are working. The figures for next year have not been agreed and will not be until the Book of Estimates is published.

Or until the Minister of State has visited all the schemes with FÁS officials. Is the Taoiseach sure about that?

The Deputy should have no worries.

The Government is politicising the issue.