Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

In December, the Government dropped a bombshell in regard to CE scheme participants and sponsor groups. The Minister then ran for cover using the review that was announced. There was to be a report in March but we now hear it could be a number of weeks or months before it is produced. Perhaps it will never be produced. Does the Minister accept that, for many CE schemes to survive at all, funding must be restored to 2011 levels? The funding for 2011 had already been cut in many ways. Can the Minister confirm that a second and more secretive review is under way on the part of the Department on foot of promises made to the troika and is being conducted without any consultation with the unions, CE participants or projects? It concerns the very future of community employment.

Is the Minister aware that, irrespective of reviews, the Government has already had a devastating effect on community employment? Across Dublin, in respect of child care courses in particular, community employment scheme supervisors are highlighting difficulties associated with filling vacancies. This is as a direct consequence of the Government's cuts to lone parent payments. Participation on community employment schemes is particularly unaffordable. Is the Minister aware that many projects are against the wall as a consequence of the Minister's budget cuts? Progression-focused training is barely happening now, with the consequence that participants will in many cases go back on the dole at the end of their term with few, if any, qualifications, or with half qualifications.

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