Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 September 2012
11. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has engaged with the Department of Social Protection on the effect that cutbacks in community employment schemes are having on the community childcare sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40671/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Community Employment (CE) schemes is to help people back to work by offering part-time placements in jobs based in local communities. CE participants should have a learning plan to identify their development needs, their posts should be supernumerary and they should work under supervision.
Private providers may not participate in CE schemes. The CE schemes operate only in community creches, some of which cater for particularly disadvantaged children. It is therefore essential that these creches employ suitable staff with the capacity to develop skills that will help them support the children in their care. At the same time, I recognise the importance of ensuring that CE staff receive the training and support they need to follow a career path in childcare.
Up to this year, CE workers could continue to claim their previous benefit while being paid to be on the Scheme. In Budget 2012, and as part of the overall move to standardise welfare payments, a decision was made that workers on a CE scheme would get a single payment.
A number of issues have arisen in relation to the Community Employment Scheme which are under discussion between my Department and the Department of Social Protection.
My priority focus is on ensuring that the interests of children are kept to the forefront and that a focus is maintained on the suitability of CE applicants to work with children.
In July following some discussions with County & City Childcare Committees, my Department commenced a new phase of engagement with the Department of Social Protection to seek to reform the Childcare CE Scheme with a view to improving the quality of care in community crèches and to providing a proper career structure that would benefit the participants. Work is ongoing in this regard.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) recently discussed this issue with my Department and the Department of Social Protection. A positive meeting was held covering a range of areas and both Departments updated ICTU on the consideration being given to employment and training of CE workers within the childcare sector.
