Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the financial consideration that is given to community employment scheme sponsors that entered contracts with suppliers prior to the reduction of the materials grant in order to allow them to fulfill the terms of the contracts. [10683/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An extensive review of the expenditure requirements of Community Employment (CE) schemes was carried out in 2012 as part of the CE Financial Review. A majority of all CE schemes reviewed fell within the €500 - €1,000 per place per year funding requirement bracket with the remainder requiring less than €500 per year. The outcome of the Review permitted the Department of Social Protection to meet what was considered the essential costs of scheme sponsors in delivering the Community Employment Programme for 2012. Some flexibility was allowed for CE schemes who incurred eligible costs prior to the reduction in budget, where operations continued into the budget year of 2012. At the same time, the Department achieved a budget reduction in 2012 of approximately 30% on materials/training expenditure for 2011.