Written answers

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Department of Social Protection

Community Employment Schemes

9:00 pm

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if funding arrangements have changed for community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5421/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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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 Dependant Increases to CE participants in receipt of certain DSP payments.

In relation to the reduction in the training and materials grant the Department 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. 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.

In the event that the changes in the training and material grant announced in the budget create financial difficulties for schemes, my Department will continue to provide funding for those schemes until the completion of the financial review. In this context, I want to confirm that the funding is available in my Department to make this commitment a reality.

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is a review under way in respect of community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5422/12]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I have directed that a review of the financial resources of individual schemes be completed by the end of March. The purpose of the review is to examine the income and funding of sponsoring organisations in terms of their ability to continue to deliver the programme. As part of the review alternative sources of support will be examined, particularly the level of funding from other State agencies. The review will also seek to establish if income is generated by scheme activity and the potential for utilisation of these funds to cover project costs. The outcome of each review will provide a clear picture of the core funding required for each CE scheme. This will assist my Department in ensuring a fair distribution of the funding available for these schemes.

I have given assurances to community and voluntary organisations that no CE scheme will be forced to close as a result of the reductions in training and material grants, pending the completion of this review at the end of March. This guarantee will be funded by my Department from its 2012 allocation.

In parallel, my Department is also undertaking a policy review of all employment support programmes under its aegis. CE is being considered as part of this review and stakeholders will be consulted as part of this review process. I expect to have this review in the first quarter of this year. These reports at both the individual CE scheme level and at the macro level will provide good evidence on which to base future policy.

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