Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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443. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review a matter (details supplied); if matters will be clarified in relation to the community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22307/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Community Employment (CE) is a positive initiative that enables the long-term unemployed to make a contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves and obtaining valuable work experience for prospective future employment. This scheme helps to break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market.

CE schemes are typically sponsored by groups (known as sponsors) wishing to benefit the local community. My Department agrees participant numbers annually with each CE sponsor organisation who are responsible for the recruitment of participants and for identifying suitable work placements.

CE projects are entitled to a supervisor wage grant. The supervisor is responsible for developing an Individual Learner Plan for each participant employed on the project, and for its implementation. The level of supervision required depends on the circumstances pertaining to each particular CE scheme. Each application is examined on a case-by-case basis taking into account the particular circumstances.

Where a sponsor considers that the number of participants employed on a project warrants the hiring of additional supervision, an application for the additional resource should be submitted to the relevant Community Development Officer in my Department.

I can assure the Deputy that I am very aware of the key role supervisors play in their communities and of the valuable work undertaken by participants. If the Deputy would like to forward details of this particular case, I will ensure that it is followed up on.