Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2016
289. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of community employment places provided in each of the years from 2013 to date in 2016; the number of these that were unfilled for periods during each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39515/16]
View answerThe aim of the community employment (CE) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. My Department is also very conscious of the valuable contribution the schemes are making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland.
The number of people on CE fluctuates on an ongoing basis as vacancies arise and are filled on schemes. With reducing numbers on the Live Register, which is the main target cohort for CE, demand for places may also vary.
The numbers of people employed on CE at the end of December 2013 to 2015 and at end November 2016 are in the following table:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2013 |
23,943 |
|
2014 |
24,645 |
|
2015 |
24,218 |
|
2016 |
23,590 |
The Deputy should note that the Live Register for the same period fell from 12.4% (December 2013) to 7.3% (November 2016). I hope this clarifies the matter for him.
