Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she granted relativity with Civil Service grades to community employment scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors; the grade they have been aligned with; and the benefits that have accrued to them as a consequence. [42582/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Community Employment (CE) supervisors are generally employees of private companies limited by guarantee and are neither public nor civil servants. There is no relativity with civil service grades. The employment arrangements that accrue for a supervisor or assistant supervisor are a contractual matter between the individuals concerned and their legal employer, subject to compliance with Department of Social Protection CE operational procedures.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the impact increasing insurance costs are having on budgets of community employment schemes and their ability to deliver a service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42583/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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This Department has become aware in recent times of increases in insurance premiums for CE schemes. The main reasons cited for this is an increase in claims frequency over recent years by such schemes. The Department has been in consultation with the main insurers about the proposed increase and to seek to limit the incidence of future claims.

The Department recommends that schemes seek alternative quotes to ensure they get value for money in the first instance. Insurance premiums costs are reimbursed from the CE materials budget for the scheme. Schemes are asked to be especially mindful of their obligations under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

The Department is not in a position at present to allocate additional monies to the materials budget in 2015. Materials budgets are allocated on an annual basis and are managed at divisional level. However, if there is a scheme experiencing particular difficulties, the sponsor should contact their local office in relation to this matter.

Schemes whose premiums are loaded due to their claims history will have to be reviewed by the Department on a case-by-case basis.