Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a community employment scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20754/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Following changes to the training and materials grant for Community Employment (CE) schemes announced in Budget 2012, the Department has made a commitment that no CE Scheme would close pending the completion of a review. All CE Scheme Sponsors are working with the Department to ensure that there is adequate funding for the continuation of their projects. The baseline amount of the materials/training grant remains at €500 per participant, as announced in the Budget. My officials have discretion to make an amount of up to €1,000 per participant available to schemes in respect of the training and materials grant, subject to individual schemes providing a clear and transparent demonstration of need for this level of funding. The onus is on sponsors to make the case for the appropriate level of the grant for their individual scheme. The level of grant sought will have to be justified by the scheme sponsor and will be subject to verification and agreement by the Department on a case by case basis.

In the case of Ballingarry, officials met the sponsors on 5 April last to discuss their funding needs in detail. The Sponsor Group were asked to provide a detailed breakdown of their requirement to stay viable to the end of the scheme. The Department are awaiting clarification on some issues relating to the costs that they included. However, at the meeting, it was recognised that their situation was untenable and that additional funding would be required. When the outstanding issues are clarified, the Department will be able to put a precise figure on the additional funding to be provided.