Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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55. 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. [43594/14]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The number of places on Community Employment (CE) has increased in the last two years by 2,000 to 25,300, with an increase in the CE annual budget from €352m in 2013 to €357m in 2014. Funding in 2015 will increase to €379m to accommodate the full complement of places.

Also an additional €1.3m was allocated to the CE training budget in 2013 in order to support the provision of training to participants. This additional funding has been retained for 2014 and 2015.

The nominaltraining grant per CE participant place is €250 per year but this can extend up to €500 depending on an individual participant’s training needs. The training grant is paid to the CE sponsor and is used according to participant needs (some may use more than this, as above, some use less, as certain training is provided free of charge by the Local Education and Training Boards). It is up to the sponsor to maximise the utilisation of the training grant for all its participants.

With regards to CE duration, the current rules regarding maximum durations have not changed. With effect from 3^rdApril 2000, lifetime cumulative participation on CE by an individual is limited to:

- 3 years (156 weeks) for persons under 55 years of age.

- 6 years (312 weeks) for persons of 55 years of age up to and including 65 years of age.

- Eligible persons in receipt of a qualifying disability-linked Social Welfare payment will be eligible for one additional year on CE over the standard maximum participation caps, i.e. 4 years cumulative maximum time on CE for those under 55 years of age (Part-Time Job Option only), and 7 years cumulative maximum time for those between 55 and 65 (Part-Time Job Option only ).

Participation on CE prior to 3^rdApril 2000 is not counted. Offshore island residents are exempt from this participation cap, subject to the availability of places on island-based CE schemes.