Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

11. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will justify the rationale in changes to community employment schemes which has resulted in for example, golf clubs having to let go staff where there was a strong history of training and subsequent employment. [43680/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme which helps long-term unemployed people and other vulnerable groups to re-enter the workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine. The programme assists them to enhance and develop both their technical and personal skills which can then be used in the workplace.The CE programme is sponsored by groups wishing to benefit the local community, namely voluntary organisations and public bodies involved in not-for-profit activities. A CE project application submitted for approval by sponsoring organisations include a work programme to be undertaken by participants and an outline of the training qualifications to be provided over the timeframe. The proposal will also provide key performance indicators for the project relating to qualifications provided and progression into employment. The Department is interested in approving projects which may last from 1 to 3 years and support will always be conditional upon annual review and the availability of state funds.

Projects which are eligible are those which:

- Respond to an identified community need;

- Provide development for participants in areas involving heritage, arts, culture, tourism, sport and the environment;

- Have the agreement of relevant trade unions;

- Do not displace or replace existing jobs;

- Offer valuable work experience for participants.

Projects which are not eligible are those which:

- Are politically or commercially orientated;

- Involve a trading element;

- Enhance private property;

- Result in private gain.

Community Employment is not designed to assist private businesses or clubs. New applications by golf clubs for CE participants were stopped in December 2005.