Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2008
243 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which she expects to increase funding for community employment schemes in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31508/08]
View answerCommunity 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 within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE aims to facilitate unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.
The aim of CE still remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. The programme is managed in a flexible way within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community. Funding for Community Employment Schemes for 2009 will be dealt with in the context of the forthcoming Budget.
