Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the effects that the cut in the material and training allowance will have on the community employment schemes run by a centre (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14369/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I acknowledge the valuable contribution made by Community Employment Projects such as the Galway Centre for Independent Living in providing a service to both participants and the community. However due to the current economic circumstances, this Department has had to find significant savings in the Budget for 2012. The reduction only applies to the grant for materials and training and represents a reduction of 7.5% of the overall expenditure on Community Employment in 2011. There will be no decrease in the number of Community Employment places in 2012.

There is an ongoing financial review of all Community Employment projects. The purpose of the review is to establish the level of need and this review should be completed by the end of March 2012. In addition, my Department is undertaking a separate review of the effectiveness of a range of employment supports including Community Employment. The outcome of these reviews will inform the overall approach to be taken by the Department and ultimately determine future policy.