John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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386. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of participants on the community employment scheme in Borris St. Mullins, County Carlow; if persons on the scheme are offered courses to improve their skills; if courses are planned in such a way as not to clash with other courses being organised; if persons on the scheme get a reasonable opportunity to attend the course of their choice; the reason some courses were held in Ballon Community Centre, Carlow, a 70km round trip from the location of the scheme; and if all scheme participants were issued with the appropriate work gear and were up skilled with such courses as Safepass and so on. [20833/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Borris St. Mullins Community Employment scheme is approved for 25 participants. There is a turnover in participants each year.

The availability of course and training options for Community Employment (CE) participants is contingent on the local availability of suitably qualified trainers and suitable facilities to ensure the provision of quality assured training. Participants on the current Borris St. Mullins CE scheme are expected to achieve 6 Major and 73 Minor QQI certified awards.

Relevant courses may only be available at a particular location and invariably, for rural schemes, this may necessitate travel. Alternative training locations such as Carlow and Kilkenny would all entail longer distances than the round trip from Borris/St. Mullins to Ballon. Travel expenses incurred by the participants attending such courses are reimbursed. The Department provides a national budget of up to €6M per annum specifically to facilitate CE participants pursue training opportunities that will enhance their career prospects.

Safepass is only one of a number of certification/training options that may be pursued and is one of relevance to those considering employment in the construction or related sectors. CE participation is for a minimum of one year and this allows participants sufficient time to undertake a number of courses.

Where CE participants work roles require them to wear personal protective equipment, this is provided in line with Health and Safety regulations. This cost is claimable by the CE Sponsor/Employer under the projects materials grant up to a maximum level allowable for that scheme.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.