Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 693: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will provide a list of all community employment schemes including their location, the focus of their work and their number of participants. [19488/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Community Employment (CE) is an employment programme which helps long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine.

The CE programme is sponsored by groups wishing to benefit the local community, namely voluntary organisations and public bodies involved in not-for-profit activities. These activities range from community services, sport, health, disability, childcare, drug rehabilitation, environmental and tourism.

A list of the current CE projects follows, including their location, the number of approved places and the end date for the current contract.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 694: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is not permitted to apply for a community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19527/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Since April 2000, there are capped limits on the amount of time that a person aged over 55 can participate on Community Employment (CE) - 6 years in total. The capping was introduced to facilitate the movement of participants though the programme, allowing new participants who may not otherwise have such an opportunity, to avail of the programme.

The person referred to has completed his maximum period of participation of 6 years on the programme and, unfortunately, cannot avail of further participation time on a CE project.

However, he should be advised to contact his local Employment Services Office, Main Street, Newbridge where staff will be pleased to discuss other possible training and employment options available to him.