Vol. 405 No. 7
37 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Labour the reason voluntary bodies which sponsor social employment schemes are paid an allowance of only £10 for each participant per week, whereas local authorities are paid £27 per participant per week; and if he has any plans to increase the level of payment for the voluntary bodies to that which applies for local authorities.
Voluntary sponsors are paid a grant of £10 per participant per week for materials, and in addition, further grants are available to cover supervisory costs. A total of £155 per week is available for projects employing five to 14 workers and £175 per week is payable to those employing 15 or more workers. Public sector sponsors are paid a grant of £27 per participant per week for materials and supervison. Local authority projects are generally more capital and material intensive.
I am satisfied that the current system provides an effective means of funding materials and supervision costs and I have no plans to change it.
