Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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725. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the arrangements and restrictions in place for education and training for participants of social protection programmes such as community employment, Tús and so on; and if classes and other activities must be restricted to six participants. [22006/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, 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 for prospective future employment. It helps to break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market.

CE is delivered through independent CE Sponsoring Authorities. The contract agreement between the Department and the CE Sponsoring Authorities establishes their role as an independent contractor, responsible for all activity and all persons recruited by them.

Participant development is a key element of Community Employment and includes development opportunities provided through the scheme work programme and through education and training which is delivered under the Participant Development Grant. The training provided through CE is delivered within a Quality Assurance framework that leads to major awards on the National Framework of Qualifications.

This training is carried out by external providers who are responsible for ensuring that all training provided should be in line with current Government and HSE/HPSC guidelines, including the number of participants that can be accommodated and the required social-distancing measures.

Throughout the Covid-10 emergency, my Department officials have reminded CE Sponsoring Authorities and Tús Implementing bodies of the need to remain aware and to comply with all published Covid-19 related guidelines available.