The financial review of Community Employment (CE) Schemes is very near to completion. Given the volume and breath of the data being returned, the review has taken longer than originally envisaged to complete. However, this has allowed more time for schemes to engage with local officials in the finalisation of their respective budgets and for my Department to bring forward improvements to the overall operation of CE which will improve the budgetary situation for schemes. The outcomes of this review will be communicated to CE sponsoring organisations directly by staff in my Department in the coming weeks. My Department is committed to supporting the CE Programme and the valuable contribution it makes to the provision of services to individuals and communities.