Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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638. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the procedures by which organisations, companies and projects which take on persons on the community employment scheme can advertise a position; the restrictions that exist on such advertisement; and her views on whether this has restricted the ability of such schemes to take on such employees. [49970/17]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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639. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the procedures by which persons seeking employment on a community employment scheme can apply for such positions; if it is possible to apply without use of the Internet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49971/17]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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640. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on recent changes to the recruitment and applications procedures for the community employment schemes that have made it more difficult for persons with literacy challenges and limited computer skills to apply to and access community employment schemes; her further views on the fact that giving opportunities to persons who have such skill and literacy challenges is one of the primary objectives of the community employment scheme. [49972/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 638 to 640, inclusive, together.

The aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. The programme helps break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market.

CE sponsors advertise their vacancies free-of-charge on my Department's JobsIreland website - www.jobsireland.ie. Posting vacancies is a relatively simple process and a dedicated video tutorial is available on the site to assist sponsors. Anyone requiring further assistance can contact my Department’s National Contact Centre by phone at Lo Call 1890 800 024 or (01) 248 1398, or by email at jobsireland@welfare.ie.

Sponsors can also promote their scheme vacancies within their local communities. At a local level, various methods of promoting CE have been arranged between my Department and local CE schemes, including targeting potentially eligible jobseekers to attend a CE job-fare, where details of CE vacancies and employment opportunities are provided.

There have been no recent changes to the recruitment and applications procedures for CE schemes. Jobseekers receive information about all available employment support options, including CE, through the Intreo Service. Jobseekers receive one-to-one support from a case officer and all available and suitable options are discussed. However, jobseekers can also view CE vacancies online on www.jobsireland.ie. Eligible candidates are then referred to sponsors by case officers in their local Intreo Centres.

CE also supports participants in training and development. Training is based on the personal and occupational needs of each individual and includes providing support to address any literacy difficulties. A tailored Individual Learning Plan (ILP) is agreed between the CE supervisor and the participant. The ILP tracks, records and reports on all planned training interventions and achievements in line with the participant’s career plan and employment goals.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.