Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
430. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to reports that CE supervisors currently receive a pay rate of €11.01 per hour, which is lower than that received by CE scheme participants (details supplied); if she will provide more funding for the pay of CE supervisors to their employing groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57473/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe are all very conscious of the important role that Community Employment (CE) and other programmes play in our communities. In addition to providing valuable occupational experience and training as a stepping-stone to employment for people who are long term unemployed, schemes such as CE also provide important and, in many cases essential, services to their local communities.
The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring authorities who are the employers of CE supervisors, CE assistant supervisors and CE participants. CE sponsoring authorities receive state funding to cover the cost of remuneration, training and material costs from the department. Therefore, any pay increases could increase the cost to the state of running CE schemes.
However, it should be noted that the pay rates for CE supervisors and participants are not comparable for a number of reasons. CE participants' pay rates are based on family circumstances and not an hourly rate.
CE participants work an average of 19.5 hours per week. The rate of payment relates to the customer’s underlying Jobseeker’s Allowance rate plus an additional €22.50 per week, with a minimum payment of €230.50 per week. Where relevant, participants receive increases in respect of a qualified adult and child dependents and their rate can be reduced where means apply.
That said, the Department of Social Protection, as the funder of CE schemes, has received correspondence from Fórsa and SIPTU seeking a pay increase for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. Any increase in pay rates that would potentially increase the overall cost to the state of funding schemes, or state funded activities in the wider community and voluntary sector, must take into consideration the potential cost to the exchequer. Given these budgetary implications, this correspondence has been forwarded to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for their consideration.
The Department is continuing to follow-up on this issue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and will also continue discussions with the Trade Unions concerned.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
