Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 February 2015
222. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if there will be an adequate training budget to meet the three-year training requirements for participants in health and social care services community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4961/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department hopes to commence rolling out a new Health and Social Care Programme for CE participants during the course of this year. This programme will ensure participants have access to qualifications in the health and social care sector in order to take up employment opportunities in this area and to support local service delivery. The Department has been consulting with key stakeholders and service providers in this sector in preparation for the implementation of the programme and on-going support will be provided to the CE Sponsoring Organisations who manage these schemes.
As part of the programme, it is intended that CE participants who work directly with service users in the health and social care sector, will be provided with a dedicated programme comprising formal learning and supervised work experience. This programme will lead to a FETAC Level 5 Major Award in the health and social care sector which is the minimum entry requirement for a social care practitioner.
Work on rolling out the programme and finalising what training budget will be required to support it will continue over the coming months.
