Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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119. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection whether consideration is being given to doubling the training and development grant associated for each community employment participant, given the general increase in cost of materials and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6764/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Community Employment (CE) is an employment activation measure designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. There are currently almost 19,500 participants on CE and Government investment in CE will amount to nearly €370 million in 2025.

CE is delivered through CE sponsor organisations in the community and voluntary sector. CE sponsor organisations receive annual contracts from the Department, which funds the employment of both CE participants and CE supervisors. Funding is also provided towards training and material costs. CE is often the first step for a participants in acquiring a certified qualification to help them find a pathway to employment or further education or training.

In recent years, the participant development grant available for CE participant training has been underutilised and there is currently no demand for additional funding in this area. In addition, CE participants can avail of a range of free education and training programmes, through the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and other statutory and community agencies who provide continuing education and training programmes.

In that context, there is no current consideration being given to increasing the level of the participant development grant, however expenditure relating to CE continues to be kept under on-going review.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.