Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

Following the announcement of cuts to community employment schemes in the budget, a campaign against the proposed cuts was launched by supervisors and participants in the schemes and trade unions. The Minister gave a commitment to complete a review of community employment schemes by the end of March and stated on a number of occasions that individual schemes would not close and that additional funding would be provided for those schemes which required it. According to SIPTU and those involved in community employment schemes, additional funding is not being provided and projects are not being given the funding they need to remain open.

The 60% cut in the funding available for education, training and materials, from €1,500 to €500, has major implications for community employment schemes. I understand it may be possible for participants to source a further €500, but we do not have much information in this regard. Six months after the budget announcements and nearly three months after the review was to be completed - I am informed it has been completed - its findings have not seen the light of day.

Community employment schemes must also contend with the troika sponsored review of labour activation measures. To date, there has not been significant engagement with community employment schemes or the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The indications are that the financial review has not shown that the Government cuts can be achieved because there is little in the schemes that can be cut. Will schemes be closed if they are considered unviable?

The decision to slash funding available for education, training and materials has killed off the chance of progression or involvement in education or training for participants in community employment schemes. This was one of the main benefits of such schemes.

We are informed that the troika review includes a proposal that participation in community employment schemes be restricted to one year, with the exception of persons with a disability where participation should be restricted to two years and persons engaged in drug rehabilitation where participation should be limited to three years. Will the Minister of State indicate whether this recommendation has been made?

The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, must come clean and state clearly, as she promised to do, what are the contents of the financial report. When will we have sight of the report and when will Deputies be able to debate it? Will the Minister of State give a commitment that Government representatives will engage with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on this matter?

See this speech in context