Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the financial review of community employment promised to be concluded by March has concluded; the key findings of the review process to date; the related steps that she intends to take in terms of policy or funding decisions; and if she intends to publish the full report. [28038/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Responsibility for Community Employment Schemes transferred to the Department with effect from 1 January 2012. Since the transfer of Community Employment to the Department, DSP staff, including former FÁS staff, have been involved in a series of discussions with CE sponsors. These discussions have shown that while notionally focussed on activation, in reality Community Employment programmes deliver a range of services from childcare, healthcare, drugs support to environmental works.

The financial review of Community Employment (CE) Schemes is near to completion. This review has proved to be a valuable exercise for both the schemes themselves and for the Department. Given the volume and breath of the data being returned, and the requirement for staff to engage with each scheme has taken longer than originally envisaged to complete.

The outcomes of this review will be communicated directly to CE sponsoring organisations by staff in the Department as soon as these are finalised and the overall position agreed by Government. This should be possible to do this month.

While no final allocations of materials and training grants have been made pending completion of the financial review, the existing commitment in relation to the financial support of schemes will continue to apply. The Department is committed to supporting the CE participants and the sponsors in continuing the valuable contribution the programme makes to individuals and communities.