Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021
421. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will further extend community employment scheme placements that are due to end to allow participants to complete courses and training they missed due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28192/21]
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.
My Department has continued to support CE since the onset of the Covid-19 emergency in March 2020, including the ongoing provision of funding and the introduction of contract extensions during level-5 periods of restrictions. CE participants, whose contracts were due to end during the latest Level-5 restrictions have had their contracts extended to the 2nd July 2021. Over 7,000 CE and Tús participants are benefitting from this latest extension which applies to all CE and Tús participants whose contracts were due to finish since end-October 2020. Department officials are continuing to monitor the situation while keeping the current extended contract end-date currently under active review.
It is important to note that when CE participants are eventually due to finish on their respective schemes, this will be undertaken on a coordinated, phased basis over a number of months. This will assist the recruitment of new CE participants and ensure service continuity for the CE schemes. It will also provide further opportunities for CE participants to complete their CE placement and finish any outstanding training.
However, where a CE participant finishes up on their CE scheme without completing the training outlined in their Individual Learning Plan and if unfortunately, they remain unemployed, they may continue their development through a range of training supports provided by my Department such as the Training Support Grant and the Back to Education Allowance. Department case officers are available to engage with former CE participants to discuss the available options.
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants, including those whose participation has been adversely affected during the pandemic and that CE schemes are supported over the forthcoming period as they re-commence more normal service levels.
I am fully committed to the future of these programmes and will continue to support and improve the programmes for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities throughout the country.
