Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if, in the course of the review of community employment schemes, she will include consultation with the participants, their projects, boards of management, also with the local communities availing of the schemes; if there will be an interim report; the way she intends to discuss the final report; and if there will be an appeals mechanism put in place in the event of it being needed. [3619/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Community Employment programme provides 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. There are currently 1,143 CE schemes in operation nationally with 23,300 participants. The overall estimated budget stands at €315,194 million for 2012.

The current review of financial resources initiated by the Department of Social Protection, commenced in January, with a time frame for completion by the end of March 2012. The outcomes will inform the overall approach to be taken by Department of Social Protection in prioritising spending while addressing the need for budget reductions.

At this stage, the agreed terms of reference for the review have been circulated to regional management. To ensure consistency in approach by the Department of Social Protection, a template/schedule outlining the areas for the financial review was designed and this is the basis of the review at scheme level. The Terms of Reference for the Review are as follows:

o To examine the income and funding of sponsoring organisations in terms of their ability to continue the programme with reduced funding from the Department of Social Protection. There are community and voluntary sponsoring organisations that receive funding from a multiplicity of state agencies.

o To quantify the expenditure on training provided and the qualifications achieved by participants.

o Alternative sources of support will be examined particularly with reference to funding from other state agencies to avoid duplication.

o To establish if income is generated by scheme activity and the potential for utilisation of these funds to cover project costs.

The review is being undertaken in consultation with Sponsors and CE Supervisors at local level. In addition to this, the Department will meet with representative bodies and relevant state Agencies to gather views ways to lessen hardships given the requirements of the reductions. The outcomes will be incorporated into the Report for the Minister.

In addition, Initial work on a review of certain activation measures has commenced, including Community Employment. The format of the review has recently been agreed and it will take a number of months to complete. This is a high level policy review that is examining the current structure of certain schemes, their interactions, overlaps and aiming to determine if they are compatible with the Department's short, medium and long term goals in relation to activation.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment schemes that will close because of cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3629/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Community Employment programme provides 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. There are currently 1,143 CE schemes in operation nationally with 23,300 participants. The overall estimated budget stands at €315,194 million for 2012. Currently, there is an initial review of the financial resources of all schemes to be completed in March 2012 to identify any scheme funding shortfalls. As stated previously, I have made a commitment that no Community Employment Scheme would close pending the completion of this review.