Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2016
50. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for refusing participation in community employment schemes to those persons not in receipt of social protection; her views on whether this penalises stay-at-home parents who are signing for credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5305/16]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is the largest employment programme administered by the Department and is a valuable resource for both jobseekers and communities. Currently, there are almost 22,500 participants and nearly 1,400 supervisors employed on the programme at a cost of approximately €376.5m for 2016.
As the Deputy is aware, CE aims to enhance the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. In addition, it helps long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a regular work routine.
In general to be eligible for CE, a person must be in receipt of a social welfare payment, such as Jobseeker’s Allowance or One Parent Family Payment, for 52 weeks. This is in keeping with commitments in Pathways to Work to target initiatives at those who are long-term unemployed.
There are a range of options available to unemployed people who do not qualify for CE, including upskilling and training provided by the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), Springboard and Skillnets courses funded through the Department of Education. The Department’s Intreo offices are also in a position to advise clients on the interventions that best suit their individual needs, regardless of their social welfare status.
The Government is committed to supporting as many people as possible to participate more fully in employment and to become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address any barriers they may encounter in finding and sustaining employment.
