Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2021
138. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if preparations are being made to ensure adequate staffing levels to maintain community employment schemes throughout County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50223/21]
View answerMy Department provides a range of employment support schemes including Community Employment (CE). These supports are specifically targeted at those people who have been unemployed for 12 months or more. The aim of CE is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and long-term unemployed people by providing valuable work experience opportunities. CE also provides training supports for participants. I am aware of the challenges caused by the Covid-19 public health restrictions and the resulting impact on many CE schemes including the recruitment of new participants. Where it was safe and in accordance with public health restrictions, some recruitment did continue during the pandemic, albeit on a more limited level than the norm. I have taken a number of measures to support CE schemes during the course of the pandemic. These ensured participants were able to avail fully of the work experience and training opportunities available while enabling schemes maintain local community services. In particular, participants whose contracts were due to come to an end since last October have had their contacts extended on a number of occasions. The latest extension recently announced will continue up until February 2022. This will allow further time to increase the number and rate of referrals to fill vacancies. Once normal CE operations return, it is important that these places are freed up and become available to the newer cohort of long term unemployed, including those whose jobs are permanently lost due to the pandemic. Time spent on PUP will count towards eligibility for CE. My Department has moved to restore activation services to pre-pandemic levels and is prioritising the referral and recruitment of eligible jobseekers to CE. At the same time, my Department is considering initiatives to strengthen and further support the referral process from the Intreo Offices to individual CE schemes. Under Pathways to Work, my Department appointed almost 100 additional dedicated Job Coaches nationwide, to assist jobseekers in their efforts to return to full time employment. Four of these Job Coaches have been appointed to the Newbridge Intreo Centre. The role of the Job Coaches includes the referral of eligible jobseekers to CE sponsoring authorities; if participation on this employment support would be of benefit. In line with Government’s plans for the full re-opening of the economy, under 'Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting’, my priority and the priority of the Department is to have all CE schemes back providing normal services and supports to their long-term unemployed participants while delivering valuable services to local communities. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
