Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2765. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a community employment placement will be extended in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33361/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.
The person concerned will complete the overall lifetime limit of 6 years on CE in August 2019. During his time on CE he completed more than 20 modules of training, and achieved QQI Major awards in Horticulture and Occupational First Aid. The purpose of the training and support that the person concerned received while on CE was to prepare him for full-time sustainable employment.
My Department’s Activation Service will work with the person concerned to ensure that the benefits of the experience and training he received during his time on CE are maximised. Case officers will engage with him on an ongoing basis and work with him to agree a personal progression plan (PPP) and support him in order to avail of all reasonable employment opportunities offered to him. The JobPath service is also available through my Department where jobseekers can receive one-to-one, intensive and regular engagement with a personal adviser who will assess his skills, experience, challenges and work goals and assist him in finding full-time sustainable employment. This process will also help identify potential employment opportunities and offer support to jobseekers such as the person concerned in overcoming any barriers to employment.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
