Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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288. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many useful community and socio-economic functions have lost community employment workers that have not been replaced; if important civic roles carried out by these workers will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39514/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department is conscious of the valuable contribution employment schemes, such as Community Employment (CE), are making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland. As the Deputy is aware, these schemes provide a very important and valued contribution to social employment, training and progression to employment and further education for unemployed people. Furthermore, many CE schemes provide vital community services across the country.

CE is a demand-led scheme. With the Live Register numbers falling, some schemes may have issues filling available places. In this regard, my Department’s Intreo staff can assist CE sponsors in ensuring maximum utilisation of CE places and if any scheme is experiencing particular difficulties filling vacancies, they should contact their local Intreo office as soon as possible.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.