Is the Taoiseach aware of the huge damage that is being done to local communities as a result of the ongoing cuts in community employment schemes? Is he aware that during the course of this year, some 5,000 cuts have taken place? These have affected services for people with disabilities, the elderly, adult education, the maintenance of community centres and other facilities, local transport and child care.

The Minister, Deputy Harney, pledged that schemes designed and focused on the needs of child care and drug treatment would be ring-fenced. Is the Taoiseach aware that the cuts being imposed by the Government are now affecting such schemes dealing with child care and drug treatment despite the Minister's so-called assurance that those areas would be ring-fenced. We have a situation where day care, adult literacy services, meals and transport for the elderly are all being placed at risk as a result of these cuts and attacks on communities.

Is the Taoiseach further aware that these attacks on communities are compounded by the decision to cut the voluntary training opportunities scheme, whereby those seeking educational opportunities are having their child care provisions withdrawn? Does he accept that CE schemes, while designed initially as training and preparatory schemes for entry into long-term employment, have provided a major resource within local communities? They have given new life and opportunities to communities and to the individual participants. Will the Taoiseach undertake in recognition of the important role CE schemes play, to reverse the cuts and ensure that they are placed where they belong – within the communities, guaranteeing opportunity and service?

There are a number of aspects about the CE, JI and social economy schemes that are being examined. Deputy Ó Caoláin is correct that the overall figures of participation in the schemes have come down from over 35,000 people five years ago to 20,000 people this year. When one includes the JI and the social economy schemes, it is about 25,000 participants The Minister did give the commitment that the CE places in the health sector, which include personal assistants services, are being maintained at existing levels to ensure continuity of those services. I understand that is the case.

Projects are prioritised based on the services provided. The drugs task force activity and child care provision are ring-fenced. Any reduction in the projects in the RAPID scheme are being given priority. The most in need places have been maintained. There have been difficulties in some of the other areas. There have been a number of cross-departmental meetings endeavouring to see how best to maintain schemes and services that are valuable to the health services. I know that the Irish Wheelchair Association, the Centre for Independent Living and others have made cases which have been looked at across Departments.

CE scheme funding for this year is €274 million, which will provide a participation rate of about 22,500 people. FÁS has stated that to hold the existing position, it would need 25,000 places. Next year's funding will be looked at again in the Estimates over the next month. The case, again, will have to be made for what areas are to be ring-fenced. FÁS argues that ring-fencing is not a good idea because the shortfalls in funding will fall on other categories. One can have some schemes that might not be a priority which are then protected, while others in more beneficial areas are not. That can create difficulties for the schemes.

Issues such as the beneficial schemes, the phasing out of the JI schemes and the long-term unemployed receiving more training places than at present, are all matters that are under examination across Departments. It is hoped, in the context of the Estimates, to alleviate some of the problems that have been created for the CE schemes over the last few months.

Everyone recognises that the CE schemes were far from perfect. However, does the Taoiseach not recognise that they identified an important and valuable niche in terms of community service? The Government decisions on their funding is having a devastating effect, not only on the individual participant, but also on important and valuable service roles within communities throughout the country. Despite his reaffirmation of the ring-fencing with regard to the provision of scheme support in child care and drug treatment, it is not the case. Whatever the Minister's understanding of ring-fencing is, the reality is that it is a far cry from the factual position on the ground.

Is the Taoiseach aware that these cuts are being equally applied to areas of greatest disadvantage where the RAPID and CLÁR programmes are already part of addressing community needs? How can this be justified? There is a clear contradiction in the Government's so-called commitment to these programmes when, at the same time, another Department is actually taking away this valuable service and role.

With regard to a review that has been mentioned time and again, will the Taoiseach indicate to the House what consultations are being undertaken about these schemes? There is no evidence of consultation with scheme organisers or key participants. That is a critical need if a real and worthwhile review is to take place.

The Deputy has raised three questions. The Deputy asked if I am aware and agree with the excellent work that takes place within many of the CE schemes throughout the country. Yes, I am aware of that. I acknowledge that they do excellent work in the schemes, particularly in community centres, meals on wheels, disability and health-related areas. That is why the Government is still putting in €274 million in funding to the schemes.

I heard the officials state that not alone are the ring-fences which the Tánaiste requested in place, but in some cases they would rather they were not there. The Deputy said they are not there, but the Tánaiste rightly brought them in to protect the drugs task force areas, the child care ser vice and the RAPID areas, and from that meeting I clearly heard him stating—

What RAPID areas?

The RAPID areas.

That was before the election.

The minute has concluded.

I will respond very briefly to the third question asked by Deputy Ó Caoláin about the current review of community employment and job initiative programmes. The PPF provides that an overall appraisal of active labour market programmes are carried out. The work has been undertaken under the aegis of the standing committee on the labour market which is chaired by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. That cross-departmental group of senior officials has been asked to consider options for the future of CE, taking into account the link with the provision of community services. We are in the process of meeting the Deputy's request.