Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Social Protection, further to Parliamentary Question No. 288 of 3 May 2011, if there has been further progress with her plans for community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21528/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As I have previously indicated to the House, I do not envisage any change in the community employment programme that would impact on the nature or range of services delivered given the important supports that are provided locally and the training and employment opportunities afforded by the programme.

With respect to the commitment to reform local government contained in the Programme for Government, work is ongoing under the lead of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government which will include consideration of a realignment of a number of functions now performed by a range of existing agencies, including community employment. You will appreciate that such realignment of functions will require significant planning and consultation before any proposal in respect of community employment can be considered.