Written answers

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Community Employment Schemes

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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430. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of places available on community employment schemes nationwide; the number of participants on the schemes at present; the number of vacancies on the schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31653/20]

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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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 employment opportunities that will become available.  The CE programme can play an important role in breaking the cycle of long-term unemployment for some people and improve their chances of employment.

The 2020 CE Budget is €364 million which provides for approximately 22,750 CE placements.  At the end of September 2020 there were 19,315 CE participants on CE.

Recruitment to employment on CE is recognised as a priority objective for the Department. Where vacancies have arisen on CE schemes, eligible candidates will continue to be identified by Department case officers who will then refer them to the relevant CE scheme where it is considered to be a suitable activation measure for the jobseeker.  

CE sponsoring authorities are also encouraged by Department officials to promote awareness of the benefits of CE in their local communities, ensuring that vacancies are well publicised.  CE sponsoring bodies can also advertise their vacancies free of charge on the Department's JobsIreland website www.jobsireland.ie

The Deputy will be aware that as part of the July Stimulus Package, the Government announced 3,000 additional places on State Employment Schemes, including the CE programme.  This will provide opportunities for an increase in existing CE participant numbers and services provided to local communities. 

A number of factors will inform the decision on the allocation of the additional places.  These factors will include training and development opportunities on schemes, participant development requirements, existing employment support schemes and regional Live Register data.

I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities.

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