Community Employment Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Ceisteanna (266)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

351 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason sponsors of community employment schemes (details supplied) are being furnished renewal contracts for their schemes without being informed in advance of the result of the review conducted by her Department or the materials grant beyond €500 per participant will be given for the future operation of the scheme in circumstances where a case for additional funding has been made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29230/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton)

The annual contracts for Community Employment (CE) projects do not detail the amounts of funding to be allocated at this stage of approval. The rates of funding of CE are determined by the Department and are advised to projects separately. Contracts between the Department and the CE Sponsor must be in place to facilitate funding from the Department. The organisation referred to by the Deputy is due to have their contract renewed on Monday, 25 June 2012. The financial review of CE Schemes is very nearly completed and the outcomes will be communicated to CE sponsoring organisations directly by staff in the Department in the coming weeks. The Department is committed to supporting the CE Programme and the valuable contribution it continues to make to the provision of services to individuals and communities.

Question No. 352 withdrawn.