Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans for community employment schemes and rural social schemes; if she envisages a role for local authorities in the delivery of such schemes in the future; if she will protect related social services such as child care, care of the elderly, meals on wheels and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9801/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The community employment programme and the rural social scheme make important contributions to the delivery of local services to communities across the country and provide significant employment and training opportunities for those engaged. I do not envisage any change to either initiative that would impact on the nature or range of services delivered. Each initiative provides opportunities for innovation in the way services and resources are deployed locally.

As the Deputy will be aware, our Programme for Government contains a commitment to reform local government including consideration of moving many of the functions currently being performed by agencies – such as community employment and enterprise supports – back to local government and any future consideration of such schemes will have regard to that commitment.