Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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325. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when community employment projects are being amalgamated; the reason assistant supervisors are not being approved to supervise larger projects; the reason little notice or consultation was carried out with sponsors and supervisors of schemes prior to changes made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11778/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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From time to time situations arise where Community Employment (CE) schemes amalgamate. In general a new sponsoring body is formed and it is a decision for the new sponsoring body as to what supervision arrangements are to be put in place (within the procedural framework of CE). My Department makes funding available for supervisory support. This grant support must be applied for by the sponsor with a detailed job description. The level of supervision required depends on the circumstances pertaining on a particular scheme.

It should be noted that the average supervisor to participant ratio is less than 17:1 which is well below the average approved level of 25:1.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.