Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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388. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she considers the work done and the skill required to efficiently carry out the necessary duties, performed by warmer homes scheme employees, as been adequately rewarded by topping up their social welfare payments by €20 per week. [7844/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme, designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged persons (including lone parents, recovering drug mis-users and those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in part-time work within their communities on a temporary, fixed-term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills by providing opportunities for individual training and development. CE should also provide clear economic and social benefits to the local communities.

All Community Employment (CE) participants have standardised conditions on the programme. The original social welfare rate of the individual is matched by an equivalent CE allowance plus an additional €20 CE participation payment, (minimum CE payment of €208 gross per week) while on the CE scheme. CE participants also receive certified training as part of their Individual Learner Plan while engaged on the schemes. Participants have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to enter employment after participation on the scheme.