Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will respond to a matter regarding community employment (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39840/11]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39915/11]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will reverse the one person one payment policy as applied to community employment schemes, with immediate effect, in view of the fact that it acts as a disincentive for many welfare recipients to take up community employment. [39975/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 251, 259 and 262 together.

Due to the current economic circumstances and the need for the Department of Social Protection to find savings of €475 million in Budget 2012, it was necessary to examine all aspects of Departmental expenditure. This has resulted in the following changes being made to the Community Employment (CE) scheme, which were announced as part of Budget 2012:

1. A reduction in the training and materials grants from €1,500 to €500 per participant per annum;

2. The ending of the concurrent entitlement to a CE payment and a social welfare assistance payment for new CE entrants;

3. The ending of the dual payment of Qualified Child Dependent Increases to CE participants in receipt of certain DSP payments.

In relation to the reduction in the training and materials grant the Department of Social Protection will seek to minimise the effects of these changes on those schemes most affected and will examine the income and expenditure of schemes with reference to their capacity to absorb the changes made to the grant. The National Training Fund will provide €4.2 million for training on CE in 2012. In addition, SOLAS will continue to provide access to its training programmes to CE participants.

The need for training on CE varies depending on the needs of participants and how long they have already been on the scheme and the training already received. Progression to employment is the key aim of the Government and there is a need to ensure that the supports we have in place aim to substantially improve individuals' chances of securing employment. Forfás published their "Review of Labour Market Programmes" last year which showed that CE participants' progression into employment is low and is only 3% higher than individuals who remain on the Live Register. There needs, therefore, to be a better focus on progression and value for money.

The second change to CE announced in Budget 2012 ceases the concurrent entitlement of certain individuals on CE had to both a CE allowance and a proportion or all of their social welfare assistance payment. This measure will take effect from 16 January 2012 and will only apply to new entrants to CE. Any individual who was employed on a CE scheme before 16 January will not be affected by this change.

The third change announced in Budget 2012 relates to the qualified child increase that certain individuals receive when in receipt of a social welfare assistance payment. Under changes announced in Budget 2012 payment of two qualified child increases where the person is on a CE scheme and one parent family payment, deserted wife's allowance/benefit or widow(er)'s pensions will be discontinued for new and existing recipients. Despite the changes outlined above, the Department of Social Protection will be spending in excess of €960 million on employment supports (including CE schemes) in 2012, up from €882 million in 2011.