Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the financial review of all community employment projects has been completed; if the results of this review will be published; what is the next step and when will community employment schemes be informed of their funding situation for the remainder of 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19588/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A financial review of Community Employment (CE) Schemes is underway. This review of CE Schemes has proved to be a valuable exercise for both the schemes themselves and for my Department.

Given the volume and breath of the data being returned, the financial review of CE schemes will take longer than originally envisaged to complete. This will allow more time for schemes to engage with local officials in the finalisation of their respective budgets and for my Department to bring forward improvements to the overall operation of Community Employment which will improve the budgetary situation for schemes. No final allocations of materials and training grants have been made pending completion of the review.

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. The allowance grants for Supervisors are unchanged, as are the working hours for staff employed under Community Employment. There will be no decrease in the number of Community Employment places allocated in 2012.

The existing commitment in relation to the financial support of schemes will continue to apply.