Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McAuliffe for raising this matter.

Community employment, CE, is an employment support programme targeted at the long-term unemployed. Prior to the recent Covid-19 emergency the number of long-term unemployed on the live register fell steadily as the economy gradually returned to full employment. While this was a positive development, it meant a reduction in the number of suitable candidates available for onward referral to employment support schemes, including CE.

During the period of the Covid-19 emergency, my Department introduced a series of measures, including contract extensions, for all existing CE participants to maintain CE participant levels.

Since 6 July, my Department has steadily increased its activation activity across all of the employment supports to ensure the increased number of jobseekers in the Covid environment have the necessary access to the full range of opportunities available, including to CE schemes.

Department case officers continue to work closely with CE sponsoring authorities to ensure they receive the necessary referrals for existing vacancies and new vacancies that arise. Those availing of Covid-19-related payment supports will also become eligible to participate on employment support schemes including CE if, unfortunately, they continue to be unemployed for 12 months or more.

I am aware of the positive benefits derived from schemes like CE. Communities benefit from the skills and talents of CE participants who, in addition, are provided with the opportunity to improve existing skills or develop new skills, while performing valuable work in their local communities. I know that Deputies in this House are well aware of the many excellent schemes across the country. Furthermore, many CE schemes provide vital community services across the country, all of which are well embedded in the communities.

As the Deputy will be aware, as part of the July stimulus package, the Government announced 3,000 additional places on State employment schemes, including the CE scheme. This will provide opportunities for existing CE schemes to expand participants' numbers and services provided.

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