Written answers

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Community Employment Schemes

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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552. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who spent five months on a community employment scheme has been told they will not be entitled to do another scheme for 12 months; if this will be reconsidered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9902/22]

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Community Employment (CE) is a labour market activation programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people with an opportunity to engage in work experience and training opportunities within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.

In general CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for 1 year. As the Deputy may be aware, CE participants who are working towards a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) major award can seek to extend their participation on CE by up to 2 years to enable them to reach the required standard of qualification. CE participants aged 55 years or older can remain on CE for 3 years and do not have to work towards a QQI major award.

The person concerned commenced her CE on 29/07/2019 and her term on the scheme was extended until 22/07/2022. However, the sponsor advised the Department that she left the scheme on 22/09/2021, having completed two years on the programme, to take up employment.

To requalify for Community Employment, the person concerned must be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 12 months.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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