Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the situation for a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40822/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Following changes to Community Employment schemes announced in Budget 2012, the Government is fully committed to the protection and development of community and social employment initiatives. Community Employment schemes provide a very important and valued contribution to social employment, training and progression for unemployed people. Furthermore, many Community Employment schemes provide vital community services right across the country.

A financial review of CE schemes will commence immediately. No Community Employment scheme will close pending the outcome of this financial review. The purpose of the review will be to establish the on-going viability of each scheme in the context of the overall CE program and recognising in particular the community and social value of each CE scheme. In the event that the reduction in the training and material grant announced in the Budget creates financial difficulties for schemes that would otherwise be viable, the Department will explore the options in relation continued funding for such schemes.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Social Protection, while the review of community employment schemes is taking place, will she make concessions to lone parents participating in community employment schemes who now cannot, due to the budget 2012, claim other social welfare payments while in a community employment scheme and who make up a large number of community employment scheme participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40838/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The changes to the payment of concurrent allowances to Lone Parents and Persons with a Disability will only apply to new entrants after 16 January. A new entrant is a person who has not participated on Community Employment in the preceding 12 months. The Department of Social Protection income-maintenance payment will cease for new entrants in receipt of the following payments:

One Parent Family Payment

Deserted Wife's Benefit

Widow/Widowers contribution Pension

Disability Allowance

Blind Pension

Illness Benefit

Invalidity Pension

The payment of concurrent allowances for a Qualified Child Dependent will end from January 16th 2012 for all existing and new entrants. Participants with such an entitlement will continue to receive this payment from the Department of Social Protection. Existing participants will continue to receive all other current payments and allowances.