Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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26. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking and her oversight to ensure that persons on community employment schemes receive proper health and safety and manual handling training prior to starting a placement and that they are issued with proper protective clothing where appropriate. [4520/16]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Community Employment (CE) sponsoring organisations, as the legal employers of CE participants, are responsible for ensuring that all relevant health and safety requirements under the Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005, and any subsequent enactments are adhered to. Non-compliance with this legislation may be deemed non-compliance with the CE Agreement. The Health and Safety Authority are the statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that workers and those affected by work activities are protected from work-related injury and ill-health.

Furthermore, directors and senior managers carry particular responsibilities under the 2005 Act if it can be shown that an offence committed by their undertaking was attributable to neglect, connivance, consent or authorisation on their part. Penalties can include fines and/or prison sentences on conviction.

Certain types of training are considered mandatory for CE participants, including manual handling, and health & safety training. Many also complete courses in occupational first-aid and fire safety. Also, sponsors are responsible for supplying necessary tools, equipment and protective clothing for participants to undertake their work.

Where a project is involved in construction work, its activity is covered by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2001, as amended by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations 2003. Project sponsors should ensure that they are aware of, and fully conversant with, their responsibilities under these regulations. Where construction work is involved, a Safepass card is also mandatory for each participant involved in site-related work.

An employer cannot penalise any employee for acting in accordance with safety and health laws, or for reporting complaints regarding safety and health matters at work.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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27. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection how she monitors access to training for participants in community employment schemes; and why some persons are unable to access their required entitlements and choices. [4521/16]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The delivery of training and development on Community Employment (CE) is in accordance with a tailored Individual Learning Plan. This is compiled by the CE Supervisor with the participant, having regard to the participant’s training needs, career plan and employment goals. It is the responsibility of the scheme sponsor to ensure that all participants engage in training that is accredited on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) orin industry-certified training that is quality assured and provides value for money to the Department. Training should be procured, in the first instance, from the local Education and Training Boards (ETBs) at low or no charge to the Scheme. It is recommended that this is planned in advance with the ETBs so that the learning needs of participants can be met.

Other training options must be procured through Departmental procurement procedures. Any proposed training that exceeds the training budget allocated is assessed based on the value of the training provided, having regard to furthering the overall employment prospects of the individual.

Training for participants is monitored through the programme and training monitoring visits carried out by the Department on an annual basis. In recent times, the Department has improved the programme and monitoring of schemes and the renewed focus on the training and development of individuals is leading to greater options and achievements for the learner. The role of the sponsoring organisation and the CE supervisor in the provision of training, guidance and support is also critical to achieving positive outcomes.