Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I have much personal experience of community employment schemes. I know the valuable contribution they can make. However, if we are honest we must say that not every community employment scheme has the same positive outcomes for the people who participate. As Minister, I take seriously what researchers say. For example, the 2011 report of NESC - with which all the social partners, NGOs and voluntary bodies participate - Supports and Services for Unemployed Jobseekers: Challenges and Opportunities in a Time of Recession, was critical of community employment in terms of labour market progression. The 2011 ESRI report, What Can Active Labour Market Policies Do? noted that "participation in community employment was not associated with increased post-programme employment chances". If we are to have a serious discussion we must recognise that some of the people who are the greatest champions of the disadvantaged have had serious, constructive criticism to make.

I received the community employment schemes into the Department of Social Protection on 1 January. I would be derelict in my duty as Minister if I did not look at how the money is spent. That is reality. The study of the 2006 to 2008 period found that "previous participation in a CE scheme was associated with an increased risk of long-term unemployment, even when a range of personal characteristics and labour market experience was taken into account." The authors stated that it is essential that investment in employment supports "achieves the best value for money". I do not apologise for that. It is a sensible use of taxpayers' money that we try to ensure that we get value for money, and that we allocate spending to schemes that "do most to enhance the employment prospects of those who participate in them."

The earlier 2009 OECD report on activation policies in Ireland had also raised a number of serious concerns in respect of the community employment programme. The authors noted that "CE now functions for some participants as low-paid public-sector employment." We must all think about that, because it is honest. Some of the contributions acknowledge that. Community employment plays a role at local level. I acknowledge that. I share that concern with the Deputies opposite. What we are trying to do is eliminate the flaws in community employment. That is the purpose of the exercise we are carrying out.

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