Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
664. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider putting a moratorium on the length of time participants can spend on a community employment scheme in view of the fact the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment may act as a barrier for some schemes in attracting new participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21232/20]
View answerThe Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
In general, the period of participation on CE is for one year. However, CE participants who are working towards a major award or industry qualification can seek to extend participation by up to a further two years.
During the recent Covid-19 emergency, my Department continued to provide the necessary funding for CE schemes while also introducing a number of contingency measures. These measures included the extension of all existing CE participant contracts for the duration of the emergency.
Now that the country has begun the process of returning to normal operations and in keeping with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, the contingency measures have concluded and the recruitment of new CE participants has recommenced.
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. Places on these work programmes will continue to be available to support those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market while sustaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme. Those availing of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) supports are not eligible for participation on CE at this time. If in due course they make a claim for jobseekers benefit/allowance, the period on the Covid-19 PUP will be taken into account for the purposes of determining entitlement to access a CE scheme.
While I appreciate that there are some participants who would like to stay on the CE scheme, the Deputy will understand that any extension beyond the periods provided would have a knock-on effect on other long-term unemployed jobseekers who would benefit from participation on a CE scheme.
