Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons currently on community employment schemes; the numbers of applications received in each of the past three years to date; the extent to which the necessary resources remain available to ensure maximum availability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50144/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There were a total of 22,276 participants and supervisors on Community Employment as on the 5thNovember 2012. My Department does not keep data from persons expressing an interest in taking up a Community Employment place, as in many cases interested parties make direct application to schemes in their locality in the first instance. Under Pathways to Work (2012) Community Employment is a valuable source of activation places for jobseekers and other vulnerable groups distant from the labour market and the Department is examining ways how this resource can be maximised in the current economic climate.