Written answers

Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Department of Social Protection

Community Employment Schemes Funding

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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186. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding voluntary groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26092/15]

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Community Employment (CE) programme is delivered through sponsoring organisations approved by the Department primarily from the community and voluntary sector. These organisations contract with the Department to provide work experience and training opportunities on an annual basis for jobseekers and other qualifying adults. The sponsoring committee members act on a voluntary basis. Grant aid is provided by the Department to cover the following costs:

- Supervisory costs;

- Participants’ wages;

- Training grant; and

- Materials grant.

Voluntary community groups wishing to avail of grants under the CE scheme have to meet the Department’s criteria for receipt of such grants. Incorporation as a legal entity is the primary requirement that must be met in advance of any contract/agreement being issued by the Department. Incorporation as a separate legal entity gives the sponsoring organisation members certain legal protections and also grants competency for the legal entity/company to sign contracts on behalf of the Sponsor group. Without having the legal entity with which to contract, any contracts or agreements signed would be unenforceable. There is no derogation possible with this requirement to incorporate.

CE is a valuable resource in the support of a range of social services to communities, including childcare. The primary objective of CE is the provision of valuable work experience and training to unemployed and other disadvantaged groups. CE is a broad and flexible programme that has been utilised to address many social challenges presenting at individual and/or societal level e.g. rehabilitative programmes and supporting communities in the provision of services.

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