Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
59. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason lone parents working on CE schemes are excluded from receiving the €400 cost of living payment, given the scheme’s proven track record of helping people who are long-term unemployed and disadvantaged to get back to work by offering part-time and temporary placements in jobs based within their local communities. [46362/23]
View answerI agree with the Deputy that Community Employment (CE) has a proven track record of helping people who are long-term unemployed and lone parents to get back to work and has many benefits for these individuals and our communities. It is an active labour market programme designed to assist eligible people including lone parents by offering work experience and training through short-term placements in jobs based within their local community. The training provided through CE is delivered within the Quality Assurance framework, that leads to major awards on the National Framework of Qualifications, further adding to their employability when they finish their CE placement.
Budget 2024 will provide almost €2.3 billion in a package of measures to assist households with cost of living increases, through a mix of lump sum payments and increases to weekly payment rates. This is the largest social welfare Budget package in the history of the State.
CE wage payment rates are determined by the participants underlying social welfare payment at the time of commencement, subject to a minimum payment. The minimum payment on CE will increase in January 2024 as part of Budget 2024 from €247.50 to €259.50 per week. Those in receipt of an Increase for a Qualified Child will also benefit from a €4 weekly increase, while those in receipt of an Increase for a Qualified Adult will benefit from an additional €8 weekly increase.
In addition, a number of once off bonus payments were announced in Budget 2024, which will benefit eligible CE participants, including lone parents. A Christmas Bonus week will be paid to CE participants in December 2023, a January cost of living bonus will be paid to CE participants in 2024 and a €100 cost of living lump sum will be paid to CE participants in respect of each Qualified Child. There will also be a double payment of Child Benefit in December 2023.
Following Budget 2024 a lone parent, depending on their individual circumstances, including those participating on CE, will see an effective increase of a minimum of €1,983 in their social welfare payments on foot of changes to core rates, an increase in the rate of IQC payment, and an additional payment of Child Benefit.
