Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
552. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who spent five months on a community employment scheme has been told they will not be entitled to do another scheme for 12 months; if this will be reconsidered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9902/22]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is a labour market activation programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people with an opportunity to engage in work experience and training opportunities within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
In general CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for 1 year. As the Deputy may be aware, CE participants who are working towards a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) major award can seek to extend their participation on CE by up to 2 years to enable them to reach the required standard of qualification. CE participants aged 55 years or older can remain on CE for 3 years and do not have to work towards a QQI major award.
The person concerned commenced her CE on 29/07/2019 and her term on the scheme was extended until 22/07/2022. However, the sponsor advised the Department that she left the scheme on 22/09/2021, having completed two years on the programme, to take up employment.
To requalify for Community Employment, the person concerned must be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 12 months.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
