Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding funding for a community employment scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; when she expects to be in position to report on the outcome of the review of this community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28648/12]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding funding for a community employment scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; when she expects to be in a position to report on the outcome of the review of this community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28649/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.

As the Deputy is aware, a financial review of community employment shemes been underway for the past few months. It has involved staff engaging with individual schemes in relation to their specific financial standing and on-going requirements, collation of schemes submissions and also detailed analysis of the returns on a national basis. Due to the volume and diversity of submissions, the review has taken longer than expected to complete.

The review is now nearing completion and once the outcomes are finalised and the overall provision agreed by Government, details will be communicated directly to CE sponsoring organisations, including the two referred to be the Department, by staff in the Department. This should be possible to do this month.

Due to the current economic circumstances, the Government has had to find significant savings in the budget for 2012. However, it is important to note that there has been no reduction in the number of participants or supervisors on CE.

This Government is committed to supporting CE participants and sponsoring organisations in continuing the valuable contribution the programme makes to individuals and communities across the country.