Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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272. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that currently the financial viability of a large number of community employment schemes is at stake and may face closure due to the massive increases both in insurance premiums and accounting fees imposed on community and voluntary sponsors; if he will consider increasing the material grant per participant to 2011 rate of €20 per week per participant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18183/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Each community employment (CE) scheme has an individually set weekly materials rate per participant based on a detailed appraisal of their actual annual expenditure levels in previous years. All expenditure must be accounted for and vouched by way of receipts. It is the responsibility of the scheme to ensure that they have obtained the best price, including for the scheme’s audit and insurance services and that they have achieved value for money.

The Department has become aware in recent times of an increase in insurance premiums for CE schemes. The main reasons cited for this is an increase in claims frequency over recent years by such schemes. In the first instance, the Department recommends that schemes seek alternative quotes to ensure they get value for money. In this context, schemes are asked to be especially mindful of their obligations under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

Insurance premium costs are reimbursed from the CE materials budget for the scheme. While the Department is not in a position to allocate additional monies to the materials budget in 2016, if there is a scheme experiencing particular difficulties, the sponsor should contact their local DSP office and the matter will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.