Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
120. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by her Department running the community employment scheme in 2019 and to date in 2020; and the number of persons engaged on the scheme. [43978/20]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is a positive initiative that enables the long-term unemployed to make a contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for employment opportunities that will become available. The CE scheme can play an important role in breaking the cycle of long-term unemployment for some people and improve their chances of employment.
CE is the largest employment and training programme administered by my Department. CE is delivered throughout the community and voluntary sector by independent CE sponsoring authorities that receive public funding from my Department. CE schemes range from meals on wheels, to social and health care schemes, and each scheme provides valuable services to local communities.
The total expenditure for CE in 2019 was €353.36m and in 2020 was €341m. At the end of December 2019 there were 21,290 participants and 1,306 supervisors engaged on CE and at the end of December 2020 there were 19,440 participants and 1,298 supervisors engaged on CE.
The 2021 Budget for CE is €362.7 million and there are currently 863 CE schemes with 19,371 participants and 1,287 supervisors engaged on CE.
