Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 May 2014
364. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the threat to the 42 JL workers and two supervisors currently employed by the D12 Congress Centre; if she will work to ensure that a new sponsor is identified as soon as possible to ensure these jobs are not permanently lost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21110/14]
View answerThis Department funds the Dublin 12 job initiative (JI) scheme which currently has 44 participants and 2 Team Leaders. These participants are placed in various community facilities in the Crumlin, Walkinstown and Drimnagh.
On 4 April 2014, the Dublin 12 Congress Centre as sponsors officially informed the Department that they did not wish to renew their sponsorship of the JI scheme, and they requested that the Department source an alternative host sponsor for the project. Departmental officials are currently in confidential discussions with two organisations who have stated that they are prepared to sponsor this scheme, and it is expected that these discussions will be concluded in the near future. In the meantime, the current sponsors have assured Departmental officials that they will continue to employ all of those involved until such time as a new sponsor is in place.
