Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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624. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if wages of participants of the community employment are open to meanstesting or reduction at source based on family status, age or other status. [47432/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Community Employment Scheme (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.

The programme is delivered through independent Community Employment Sponsoring Bodies.  The Department gives financial support to these Sponsoring Bodies in the form of allowances and funding to assist with the  Community Employment programme, for example participant wages, supervisor  grants, materials grants and specific skills training grants.

The minimum weekly payment for new participants based on 19.5 hours worked is €225.50 with effect from the week beginning 25 March 2019.  If a person has any additional income, for example, from part-time work, it does not affect their CE payment.  However, the rules on 'change of circumstances' that apply to their original social welfare payment also apply to their CE payment.  For example, if a qualified adult commences employment, their income will be assessed as means and the CE payment may be reduced.

The rate of payment on CE is determined by a participant's underlying entitlement to a relevant payment from my Department.  Participants under the age of 25 who were on a reduced rate of Jobseekers Allowance immediately prior to commencing on CE are entitled to the full payment of €225.50 whilst on CE. 

If the Deputy would like to forward the details of a particular case(s) he is referring to I will have them examined.