Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the review of labour market activation measures in relation to community employment schemes; when it is expected that the report will be finalised; her views regarding the need to change eligibility criteria in relation to existing participants who wish to remain for an additional year particularly in view of difficulties being reported in relation to attracting new participants to community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43187/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Labour Market Activation Schemes policy review is in progress. When complete, it will inform the Department’s strategic approach in relation to labour market activation including the Community Employment (CE) programme. The Department is committed to enhancing the effectiveness of the Community Employment Programme whilst being conscious of the valuable contribution it is making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland. There have been no changes with regards to the eligibility criteria and participation durations of CE participants. Participants engaged under the Part-time Integration Option of CE (1 year’s participation) can be extended into a second consecutive year in up to 10% of cases where the participant can demonstrate they would benefit from continued participation in terms of additional development and training. Currently there are no significant difficulties in filling Community Employment vacancies as the number of qualifying candidates outstrips CE vacancies.