Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way she tallies the commitment in Pathways to Work to get persons back into the workforce with budget 2012 measures that will see jobs in the community sector go from 48,320 in 2011 to 41,948 in 2013 and 36,638 in 2015. [11862/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As announced in the Pathways to Work, one of the five strands of the programme is to provide greater targeting of activation places and opportunities for job seekers - particularly those who are over one year unemployed. The Department will continue to provide supports in the form of work experience and training through the community and voluntary sectors. Community Employment will play a critical role in this. The Government is determined that those who are unemployed will be assisted with the appropriate advice, training and work experience to enable them to take advantage of new job opportunities as the economy recovers. Community Employment helps people who are out of work for one year or longer to maintain contact with local employment opportunities and to avail of training so that they can get these jobs when they arise. At the same time the programme helps the local community and reduces the impact of long-term unemployment on individuals and their families. There are no reductions in the number of places available on the Community Employment programme in 2012. Similarly, the numbers of supervisors will remain the same within agreed ratios.