Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline in a tabular form, the number of participants on community employment schemes since 2011 on a county basis and on a yearly basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31843/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table attached.

Year-End Community Employment Places by County

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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120. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of past participants in community employment schemes currently in full-time employment and not in receipt of a social protection payment; in full-time employment and in receipt of a social protection payment, that is, family income supplement and so on; in part-time employment and in receipt of a social protection payment or are still on the live register and classed as full-time unemployed; and her views on the effectiveness or otherwise of community employment schemes as a labour market activation scheme. [31844/14]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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127. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of past participants in community employment schemes who are currently in full-time employment and not in receipt of a social protection payment; in full-time employment and in receipt of a social protection payment, for example, family income supplement in part-time employment and in receipt of a social protection payment; or are still on the live register and classed as full-time unemployed; her views on the effectiveness or otherwise of CE schemes as a labour market activation scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31913/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 127 together.

Community Employment (CE) progression statistics for 2013 show that of the 8,191 participants who finished and exited the programme during that year, 2,122 (25.9%) were recorded as having found employment (1,927) or self-employment (195). A further 617 (7.5%) progressed on exit into further education, training or internship programmes, giving an overall progression figure of 33.4%. The remainder of CE exits returned to their former social welfare payment, where applicable.

However, it is important to note that these statistics were recorded immediately after the participants exited CE, so persons who finished and found employment or commenced further education/training subsequent to their CE exit may not have their employment or progression into training/education fully captured for statistical purposes.

Considerable improvements have been made to the CE Programme in the past two years. This includes the introduction of a 3 year application process, improved financial monitoring and programme monitoring systems, and a greater focus on needs of job seekers and other vulnerable groups. Greater efficiencies have also been achieved in terms of the overall administration and management of the programme, both at scheme and Department level. This improvement process will continue during 2014 with a continued focus on progression of the client and continued support for the delivery of important social services to communities across the country.