Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Following the publication of my Department’s Report - An Analysis of the Community Employment Programme -earlier in the year,the Government approved a number of changes to the terms and conditions around participation on Community Employment (CE). The main purpose of these changes is to broaden the availability of CE to a greater number of people on the live register, to standardise eligibility and other conditions regarding the length of time a person can participate on the programme and to promote progression outcomes.

The changes will see the general qualifying age for CE, for those on the live register, reduced from 25 to 21 years. It will also now be easier for previous participants who have exhausted their CE entitlement to requalify, as participation prior to the year 2007 will be disregarded. While participants between 21 and 55 years can avail of one year on the programme, this can be extended on approval by the Department by up to 2 more years, if they are working towards a major award/industry recognised equivalent to support their progression to employment. CE participants age 55 and over can now avail of up to 3 consecutive years on a scheme.

All participants will be given access to training and development and supported with addressing any barriers to employment they may have so as to enhance and maximise their progression opportunities.

There will be an overall lifetime limit of 6 years from 2007 (or 7 years if on a disability payment).

Following consultation workshops with CE stakeholders throughout the country during May and early June, these changes came into effect from Monday 3rd July 2017.

Further changes which will be progressed over the coming months include the roll-out of the ‘two strand approach’ of activation and social inclusion in terms of how CE places are categorised. In addition, a review of the participation of older people on schemes is being undertaken which I expect will be completed by the early autumn.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.