Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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The Community Employment (CE) programme is a community centered labour market initiative established for the purposes of social inclusion and activation, to help long-term unemployed people and other vulnerable groups to enter the workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment.

CE projects are sponsored by groups wishing to benefit the local community, namely voluntary and community organisations and, to a lesser extent, public bodies involved in not-for-profit activities, and provide valuable and dedicated services in communities all over the country.

Eligible work placements under CE are those that respond to an identified community need and provide development opportunities for participants in areas involving heritage, arts, culture, tourism, sport and the environment and may involve the use of ride-on lawnmowers. CE projects must not displace or replace existing jobs, have sufficient insurance cover for the types of work undertaken and offer valuable work experience to the CE participants.

Powered vehicles such as ride-on lawnmowers are generally designed and intended for off-road private use only. If used on a public road, they are subject to all of the regulatory controls that apply to other mechanically propelled vehicles e.g., registered, taxed and comply with road traffic regulations. In addition, the driver of the vehicle would have to hold the appropriate driving licence and be insured to drive that vehicle on a public road.

If the Deputy’s question relates to a specific issue he can submit details and an officer from the Department will look into it for him.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.