Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 February 2013
105. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the additional community employment places for community childcare; and if she considers that the recent budget changes regarding lone parents are having an impact on this. [7602/13]
View answerThe 2,000 additional places for the Community Employment (CE) programme announced in Budget 2013 brings the overall number of CE places to 25,300, inclusive of supervisor posts. These places are being drawn down on a phased basis from the end of January to December, 2013. The additional places are critical to the continued improvement of CE, as outlined in the CE Financial Review of Schemes undertaken by this Department in 2012.
The allocation of places will be informed by the population of long-term unemployed persons in each area, the number of claimants on Jobseekers Allowance, One Parent Family Payment and people with a disability in receipt of welfare payments for 52 weeks or more.
Priority will be given to (a) schemes involved in community child care services, social and health care services and drug rehabilitation services that offer training and development opportunities and work experience to CE participants and (b) those schemes with a clear track record in the development and progression of participants towards employment.
An allocation of 500 of the additional places is reserved for child care support.
The Department recognises that there has been a decline in participation of lone parents on CE due to recent budgetary changes. Every effort is being made to encourage take-up of these places. The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, are in the process of improving the provision of training and work experience for CE participants who wish to pursue a career in child care. This will enhance qualifications and progression for CE participants.
In addition, the Department is in the process of rolling out a revised referral process to address the future recruitment and selection of participants for CE schemes.
