Community Employment Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 March 2012

Thursday, 1 March 2012

Questions (134, 135)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

134 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total number of persons engaged in community employment or related training or education schemes throughout County Kildare; the extent to which she expects to be in a position to ensure the retention of all such places, in view of the particularly high degree of professional management and occupational skills encompassed in the programme within County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12041/12]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

The total number of persons employed on 32 individual CE projects in Co. Kildare is currently 646. There are no plans in 2012 to reduce the allocated number of CE places in Co. Kildare.

In line with the national review of CE, DSP Community Development Officers are in the process of engaging with all Sponsors of CE programmes in Co Kildare, in order to ensure that Sponsors are fully briefed on the review. Sponsors are been issued with pro-forma returns to assist them to complete their review.

The baseline amount of the grant remains the €500 per participant announced in the Budget. But there is discretion to make an amount of up to €1,000 per participant available to schemes in respect of the training and materials grant this year, subject to individual schemes providing a clear and transparent demonstration of need for this level of funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

135 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she expects to be in a position to provide the necessary resources to retain the maximum number of places on community employment or related schemes throughout County Kildare, having particular regard to the ongoing success of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12042/12]

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

There are no plans in 2012 to reduce the allocated number of Community Employment (CE) places in Co. Kildare.

In line with the national review of CE, the Department's community development officers are in the process of engaging with all sponsors of CE programmes in Co. Kildare, in order to ensure that sponsors are fully briefed on the review. Sponsors are being issued with pro-forma returns to assist them to complete their review.

The baseline amount of the grant remains the €500 per participant announced in the Budget. But there is discretion to make an amount of up to €1,000 per participant available to schemes in respect of the training and materials grant this year, subject to individual schemes providing a clear and transparent demonstration of need for this level of funding.

Question No. 136 withdrawn.