Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 109: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is proposed to cut community employment schemes programme funding by 40%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28617/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.

The aim of CE still remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community.

The overall budget for community employment in 2009 has been increased by €6.4 million from that allocated in 2008. In addition, there has been an increase of 400 places in the allocated places available on the Community Employment Programme.