Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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309. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if community employment scheme guidelines can be updated to mandate that supervisors facilitate scheme members who have work in a relevant field even if that work overlaps with scheme hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17144/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Community Employment (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 experience and training opportunities within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis to improve their prospect of returning to employment.

CE participants work part time on CE schemes and can take up other work, including paid employment, and activities that do not clash with their commitment to CE hours of work.

Therefore participants who wish to take up other part-time work during their placement should ensure that it does not clash or overlap with their CE hours agreed with the CE sponsor organisation. Payment for any such work is subject to normal PAYE/PRSI conditions. Where a participant is taking up paid employment, they should check with my department if there are any implications in relation to receipt of DSP payments or secondary benefits.

A sponsor organisation may, at their own expense, employ a participant under a separate contract of employment for additional hours outside of the participant’s normal CE hours, on the condition that the participant is not employed for more than an additional 234 hours in any given 12 months employment contract. The sponsor organisation must declare all such hours to the department on a monthly basis.

The Department keeps all aspects of its employment and activation programmes under review to ensure that they have the best outcomes for participants.

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 through the provision of services.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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310. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an allowance, additional payment or reduced hours can be made for applicants pursuing certain community employment scheme courses (details supplied) who are mandated to achieve a level 5 award as part of that course. [17145/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Community Employment (CE) Scheme 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 experience and training opportunities within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis to improve their prospect of returning to employment.

I understand the Deputy's question relates to CE Childcare schemes. The aim of the CE Childcare Training and Development Programme is to provide CE participants interested in pursuing a career in childcare with training and qualifications in the childcare sector, quality experience, and a clear career path.

Under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2021, all staff working directly with children in a pre-school service must hold at least a Level 5 major award in childcare on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or equivalent as deemed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The purpose of the Level 5 award is to enable the learner to acquire the skill, understanding and competence to work independently and under supervision in a range of childcare settings and or to progress to higher education and training. By the end of the course learners will be able to understand a range of theoretical concepts relating to child development and education and demonstrate many of the skills required to provide for the holistic needs of babies and young children in a childcare setting.

There is a requirement for the participant to demonstrate a commitment to engage in sector specific certified training during their time on CE, leading to the achievement of a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Major Award at Level 5. The CE Childcare Training and Development Programme has three phases and is a three-year programme.

There are no changes foreseen in the operation of this programme. All CE schemes have standard terms and conditions for participants, including hours worked and payment rates.

My Department keeps all aspects of its employment and activation programmes under review to ensure that they have the best outcomes for participants.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.