Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
262. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on a matter regarding the hiring of staff in the community employment sector (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31825/15]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons (including lone parents, recovering drug mis-users and persons with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in part-time work and training within their communities on a temporary, fixed-term basis.
With respect to the participants exhausting their time on the programme, all community Employment (CE) sponsors and participants are aware of the time limits for participation, which are extensive for certain individuals particularly those over 55 years, who can have up to 6 years on CE. The participation limits allow for the utilisation of places amongst qualifying persons, to ensure the benefit of the CE to the widest possible number of jobseekers.
