Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 June 2012
121 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding funding for a community employment scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; when she expects to be in a position to report on the outcome of the review of this community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28640/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe financial review of community employment 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 breadth 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 outcomes of this review will be communicated to CE sponsoring organisations directly by staff in my Department in the coming weeks. My Department is committed to supporting the community employment programme and the valuable contribution the programme makes to the provision of services to individuals and communities.
122 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding funding for a community employment scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; when she expects to be in position to report on the outcome of the review of this community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28648/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra123 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding funding for a community employment scheme (details supplied) in County Mayo; when she expects to be in a position to report on the outcome of the review of this community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28649/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.
As the Deputy is aware, a financial review of community employment schemes has been under way for the past few months. It has involved staff engaging with individual schemes in relation to their specific financial standing and on-going requirements, collation of schemes submissions and also detailed analysis of the returns on a national basis. Due to the volume and diversity of submissions, the review has taken longer than expected to complete.
The review is now nearing completion and once the outcomes are finalised and the overall provision agreed by Government, details will be communicated directly to CE sponsoring organisations, including the two referred to be the Department, by staff in the Department. This should be possible to do this month.
Due to the current economic circumstances, the Government has had to find significant savings in the budget for 2012. However, it is important to note that there has been no reduction in the number of participants or supervisors on CE.
This Government is committed to supporting CE participants and sponsoring organisations in continuing the valuable contribution the programme makes to individuals and communities across the country.
