Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
415. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address several queries concerning the financial aspects of the community employment scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22958/24]
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. It supports projects that provide work experience for long term unemployed persons.
CE is delivered through CE sponsor organisations in the community and voluntary sector. CE sponsor organisations receive annual contracts from the department, which funds the employment of both CE participants and CE supervisors. Funding is also provided towards training and material costs.
The rate of materials grant is determined by individual scheme costs and participant numbers. The materials grant is a contribution towards the running costs of the scheme and covers consumable services and materials necessary for the effective operation of the CE project including such items as employers and public liability insurance, tools, stationery, audit fees, bank charges (excluding bank interest), protective clothing and the hiring of equipment. As operating costs vary from scheme to scheme, depending on the activities undertaken and their overhead costs, the amount paid in materials grants also varies from scheme to scheme.
The overall expenditure on materials grants for CE was just over €12.3 million in 2023 to support those schemes covering eligible CE associated costs. In 2023, an additional grant of €1,000 was made available to Community Employment sponsor organisations for materials costs, as a response to rising costs experienced by CE sponsor companies.
If a CE sponsor organisation is experiencing difficulty with rising costs and is seeking further funding under the materials grant, they should make an application through the department's Community Development Officer assigned to their CE scheme.
I trust this clarifies the various matters for the Deputy.
