Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 April 2019
545. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address matters (details supplied) regarding the interdepartmental review of community employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14968/19]
View answer546. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether the current review of community employment is a way of culling community employment scheme numbers (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that changes to the current structure would further marginalise these groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14970/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 545 and 546 together.
Community employment (CE) is the largest employment programme administered by my Department. It was initially established to enhance the employability of unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. In doing so, its objective was, and remains, to help long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce.
Following the review of CE in 2015, the scheme was categorised into two strands, Social Inclusion and Activation. This was to acknowledge that not all placements are the same. Social Inclusion placements are more suited to adults who need additional supports, for example older unemployed workers, people with a disability, travellers, homeless people, refugees, those requiring drug rehabilitation and ex-offenders whereas the activation placements are more directly related to the labour market relevant work experience. The Activation and Social Inclusion placements are currently governed under the same rules, eligibility criteria and period of placement.
I am sure the Deputy will agree that these Social Inclusion placements require a separate focus to ensure that those who are very distant from the labour market and who are interested in working and delivering services in their local community have the opportunity to do so. It is also my strong view that the local services which are supported by these Social Inclusion placements must be safeguarded into the future.
On this basis Government agreed to establish an Interdepartmental Group (IDG) to explore the most appropriate organisational arrangements, including which Department should host the CE Social Inclusion schemes.
The interdepartmental group will assess the best course of action required so as to protect the governance and successes that we have seen in CE activation whilst also establishing the appropriate structure for the social inclusion placements. The first meeting of the group was held on 26th March. It was agreed at the meeting to undertake a consultation process in the near future with all key stakeholders including Sponsor Organisations. I have received a number of submissions to date and these will be included in the deliberations.
The Group will report to Cabinet Committee B, dealing with Social Policy and Public Services with the outcome of the deliberations of the group prior to a final decision by the Government. It is expected that the IDG will report to Cabinet by end Q2 2019.
