Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
841. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider abolishing or extending the three-year rule on community employment schemes as a result of lost time on the scheme due to Covid-19 and the difficulties that can be experienced in replacing participants in local communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20079/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Employment CE) Scheme 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.
In general, the period of participation on CE is for one year. However, CE participants who are working towards a major award or industry qualification can seek to extend participation by up to a further two years.
During the Covid-19 emergency, my Department continued to provide the necessary funding for CE schemes while also introducing a number of contingency measures. These measures included the extension of all existing CE participant contracts for the duration of the emergency.
Now that the country has begun the process of returning to normal operations and in keeping with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, the contingency measures have concluded and the recruitment of new CE participants is actively underway.
Those CE participants who had their contracts extended during the emergency period are now finishing up on their schemes on a phased basis over the coming period and further extensions will not be granted.
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. Places on CE will continue to be available to support those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market while maintaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme.
