Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

506. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number of persons currently employed on community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25004/23]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The aim of the Community Employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their local communities on a temporary fixed term basis.

In addition to providing valuable occupational experience and training as a stepping-stone to employment for people who are unemployed CE schemes also provide important and, in many cases essential, services to their local communities.

At the end April 2023, there were 18,489 participants and 1,205 supervisors employed on CE, a total of 19,694.

I will continue to support the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.