Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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293. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when she will inform major stakeholders on foot of the completed interdepartmental review regarding labour activation schemes; when she plans to publish the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51970/19]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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299. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the interdepartmental review into community employment schemes; when the outcome of the review will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52028/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 299 together.

In early 2019, the Government agreed to establish an Interdepartmental Group (IDG) to explore how social inclusion schemes might be organised going forward.

A series of meetings of the IDG have taken place and a number of bilateral meetings were also undertaken with the relevant Departments. In addition to this, all submissions received from key stakeholders and community groups were considered as part of the deliberation process. The final report of the IDG is expected to be available over the coming weeks.

The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. The Government is very mindful of the large number of work programme places involved in service delivery and other valuable services to individuals and communities across Ireland.