Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans for community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24023/11]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, the 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.