Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

46. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she expects a decision on the introduction of a health and social care strand to community employment; the remaining elements of the reform process that are outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40760/14]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Funding of €373 million has been secured for Community Employment schemes in 2015 which will fund 25,500 places across the country in over 1,000 projects.

CE schemes in the health and social care sector provide a range of supports to caring organisations in the provision of services to local communities. The main sponsors are organisations in the disability and caring sectors. The total number of dedicated places to support health and social care services is 2,400 places (September 2014). The key objective of CE is to provide valuable work experience and training to job-seekers while at the same time providing the above supports.

The Department intends to roll out a new Health and Social Care Programme for CE next year. This programme will ensure participants have adequate access to qualifications in the health and social sector in order to take up employment opportunities in this area and to support local service delivery. The Department will be consulting with key stakeholders and service providers in this sector in preparation for the implementation of the programme in 2015. On-going support will be provided to the CE Sponsoring Organisations who manage these schemes throughout the process.