Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the provisions being made for community employment scheme sponsors to avail of assistance in meeting the cost of rent of premises; her views on whether the cessation of rent payment under materials claims is putting the future of many schemes in jeopardy; if she will outline the circumstances in which rent can be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10723/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Rental costs are not an eligible expenditure under the CE materials grant except in exceptional circumstances with the written approval of the Department. The CE Financial Review carried out in 2012 revealed that for the majority of cases rental costs were to enable the delivery of services of the sponsor body rather than to provide specific accommodation for the CE scheme. To provide an equitable solution to the situation it was proposed that where rental costs had been allowed, they would continue to be funded in 2012 from the materials budget under specific conditions:

1. Details of when the building was acquired/rented and details of current square footage usage and any additional income being received through room rental.

2. Invoices to be on a 3rd party invoice with Employer/Individual Tax number.

3. A copy of the Lease Agreement and Tax Clearance Cert or PBRT registration number.