Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The budget announcement included a number of other measures which are not provided for in the Bill. Some of these measures relate to non-statutory schemes and do not require legislative amendments. Other measures will be implemented through regulations and through legislation to be brought forward early in 2012.

In this regard, I specifically welcome the measures to broaden the PRSI base agreed in the budget by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan. The revenues of more than €50 million to be raised from these measures will contribute to filling the €1.5 billion hole in the social insurance fund.

I also welcome the recognition by the Minister, Deputy Noonan, that absenteeism is a problem in the public and private sectors in Ireland. In 2012 I will bring forward proposals to deal with absenteeism in the public and private sectors. I will engage in discussions with all interested parties and stakeholders.

I will also introduce changes to community employment, CE, schemes. The number of CE schemes operating at present is more than 1,143 with 23,300 participants and an overall budget of €360 million. We will seek value for money reviews of schemes emphasising good outcomes and experience for participants. The national training fund will provide €4.2 million for training on CE in 2012. In addition, SOLAS will continue to provide access to its training programmes to CE participants. The Department for Social Protection will spend €977 million on employment supports including CE schemes in 2012, an increase from €882 million in 2011. This is an increase of €95 million in the budget for 2012. It is in this context that reforms of how labour market activation and labour market supports including CE are funded and managed are being examined.

Community employment schemes make an important and valuable contribution to social employment and the provision of training for unemployed persons.

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