As Minister for Social Protection, I am determined to ensure that the contribution of such schemes is recognised in any future decisions on the future operation, funding and role of Community Employment. There is a total spend on Community Employment of €315 million in 2012. The financial review, that I have asked to be completed by the end of March, is being carried out between local community employment sponsors and the officers responsible for the scheme under local management.
Separately my Department is conducting a policy review of a number of schemes administered by the Department. Community Employment is being reviewed as part of this exercise. The outcome of this review will guide future policy development and is also expected to be completed by the end of March.
The outcome of these reviews will inform the overall approach to be taken by my Department in regard to how to secure the best outcomes for the schemes and for their participants, taking account of the large amount of money we spend on community employment schemes and the valuable contribution that many of them make to their communities.
There are no reductions in the number of places available on the Community Employment programme in 2012. Similarly, the numbers of supervisors will remain the same within agreed ratios.