Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2012
314 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection when the review of community employment schemes will be completed; if she will take into consideration the work being carried out through these schemes and maintain 2011 grant levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27785/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for Community Employment Schemes transferred to the Department with effect from 1 January 2012. Since the transfer of Community Employment to the Department, DSP staff, including former FÁS staff, have been involved in a series of discussions with CE sponsors. These discussions have shown that while notionally focussed on activation, in reality Community Employment programmes deliver a range of services from childcare, healthcare, drugs support to environmental works.
The financial review of Community Employment (CE) Schemes is very near to completion. This review of CE Schemes has proved to be a valuable exercise for both the schemes themselves and for my Department. Given the volume and breath of the data being returned, the financial review of CE schemes has taken longer than originally envisaged to complete. This has allowed more time for schemes to engage with local officials in the finalisation of their respective budgets and for my Department to bring forward improvements to the overall operation of Community Employment which will improve the budgetary situation for schemes.
The key findings will be part of the published review. As you will appreciate the review is of interest and importance to the many stakeholders involved, accordingly I am unable to provide an outline of its content prior to its publication. I will ensure, however, that stakeholders will be able to contribute and respond to the findings.
Due to the current economic circumstances, this Department has had to find significant savings in the Budget for 2012. However, the allowance grants for Supervisors are unchanged, as are the working hours for staff employed under Community Employment. There will also be no decrease in the number of Community Employment places allocated in 2012.
The findings of the separate Labour Market Activation Schemes policy review will also inform the Department's decisions in relation to the CE programme. While no final allocations of materials and training grants have been made pending completion of the financial review, the existing commitment in relation to the financial support of schemes will continue to apply. My Department is committed to supporting the CE participants and the sponsors in continuing the valuable contribution the programme makes to individuals and communities.
