Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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50. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43588/14]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Department has improved the financial and programme monitoring of schemes since it became responsible for the Community Employment (CE) programme. The renewed focus on the development of individuals on schemes is leading to greater achievements for the learner and an improved service to local communities across the country. The putting in place of an Individual Learner Plan some years ago has added to this achievement. The role of the Sponsoring Organisation and the CE Supervisor in the provision of guidance and support is critical to achieving positive outcomes. With this in mind, the Department provides funding for the employment of supervisors on a 39 hour week basis, while the participants participation on the scheme is for 19.5 hours. This is in order to provide adequate time to the sponsoring organisation to provide the necessary supports for the daily management of the scheme.

There are two monitoring visits carried out by the Department to a scheme on an annual basis – financial monitoring and programme monitoring which focus on gaining evidence from the scheme of compliance with the CE Operational Procedures. Each scheme is notified by the Department well in advance of what is expected from them so that it is made as easy as possible for the scheme to become compliant. The scheme itself has no paperwork to complete. The monitoring form is completed by officials from the Department. If the scheme is found not to be fully compliant, every assistance is provided by the Department in order to become so.

The average fund provided to CE schemes is in the region of €350,000 per annum, which is a significant outlay by the Department. The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that robust controls and monitoring are required to ensure that public monies are being spent in an effective and efficient manner.