Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
471. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a community employment scheme placement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be extended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39673/20]
View answerEmployment Programmes such as Community Employment (CE) are labour market programmes that enable the long-term unemployed to progress into employment and/or further education and training. Participation limits on these schemes are necessary to allow for the maximum utilisation of places amongst qualifying persons. It is important to note that participation is intended to be for a temporary fixed term and the positions offered are not full-time sustainable jobs. Instead, the placements are designed to break the cycle of unemployment and maintain work readiness, thereby improving a person’s opportunities of returning to the open labour market.
Following 12 months in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare payment CE placements for those aged between 21 and 55 years will be for one year. However, if a CE participant is working towards a QQI Major Award or working towards a recognised industry standard, their time on CE can be extended up to a maximum of 3 years to complete the full award/qualification standard i.e. a total participation of 3 consecutive years in which to complete any outstanding modules.
The person concerned will have completed three years on CE in January 2021. During this period the person concerned has completed a number of industry standard courses and some QQI modules. Therefore in line with the scheme criteria set out above funding for this participant will cease on 29th January 2021.
My Department's Activation service will work with the person concerned to ensure that the skills and experience they received during their time on CE are maximised. This process will help identify potential employment opportunities and offer support to them in overcoming any barriers to employment.
