Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on changes to the community employment scheme; her assessment of the impact this will have on community child care service providers from September 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17247/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Community Employment (CE) programme is a valuable resource in the provision of a range of services to communities, including childcare services. The Department introduced a new CE Childcare Strand at the beginning of 2013 under which there is a dedicated childcare educational programme at FETAC Level 5 for CE participants who work directly with children. This programme has led to the re-structuring of CE childcare provision which will improve the career path for participants who wish to pursue a career in childcare. These improvements provide a more tailored and valuable support to the provision of community childcare. The FETAC Major 5 Award is the entry level requirement to work as a basic practitioner in childcare.

Due to legislative changes regarding childcare provision, due to come into effect from September 2015, the Department is currently seeking clarification from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on the status of CE participants in these settings. From the Department's perspective, the status of a CE participant attached to a community childcare centre is, in the first instance, that of a jobseeker seeking a qualification in early childhood education. CE participants are not deemed to be qualified staff but learners in childcare settings. When clarification is received on this matter, the Department will inform all relevant CE sponsors.