Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
35. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection if an extension to time limits for workers on community employment schemes in community organisations in rural areas will be applied to retrospectively replace time lost in suspended jobs under public health restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24300/20]
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, countrywide, 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. A significant number of CE participants each year avail of an extension in order to continue training and obtain qualifications and major awards.
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 allowing many CE schemes and their CE participants to continue to deliver a range of services to the community.
In keeping with the “Government’s Return to Work Safely Protocol”, the recruitment of new CE participants by CE sponsoring bodies recommenced in early July. Those CE participants who had their contracts extended during the emergency period have been finishing up on their CE schemes on a phased basis over recent months.
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants. Places on these work programmes will continue to be available to support those who are long term unemployed and furthest removed from the labour market while sustaining the role of CE as an active labour market programme.
While I understand that a number of CE participants would like to remain on CE, the Deputy will appreciate that any further extensions would have a detrimental effect on other long-term unemployed candidates wishing to avail of the opportunities afforded by CE.
