Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2015
97. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if community employment supervisors could sit on the interview panel and meet the persons prior to their engagement in CE schemes. [2932/15]
View answerThe current practice on Community Employment (CE) is that participants interested in taking up a CE place are assessed by the CE Scheme regarding their suitability for the post, following a referral from their local DSP/Intreo Office. As the employer, CE Sponsors select from a candidate list provided to them by DSP Employment Services and the Local Employment Service. An interview panel must interview all eligible candidates and the panel of interviewers should consist of at least 3 people, one of which can be the CE Supervisor.
At the end of this interview an indication should be sought as to the applicant's level of interest in accepting a place on the project, if offered. Selected applicants are then formally offered a place in writing, subject to their eligibility being confirmed. All unsuccessful candidates interviewed are notified of the outcome immediately after the successful candidate has confirmed acceptance of the job offer. DSP Employment Services are then provided, by the Sponsor, with details of those who attended for interview, those who failed to attend and those offered a position. Guidelines and Procedures for Interview Panels are detailed in Appendix 2 of the Community Employment Procedures Manual.
