Friday, December 09, 2011

Clarification re: Community Employment Schemes

SEE BELOW CLARIFICATION RE: CE SCHEMES FROM MINISTER JOAN BURTON:

Following changes to Community Employment schemes announced in this weeks Budget, I wanted to reassure you that the Government is fully committed to the protection and development of community and social employment initiatives.

Community Employment schemes provide a very important and valued contribution to social employment, training and progression for unemployed people. Furthermore, many Community Employment schemes provide vital community services right across the country.

As part of the entry of the employment services division of FAS into the Department of Social Protection on the 1st of January 2012, I have directed that a review of CE schemes will commence immediately.

No Community Employment scheme will close pending the outcome of this review.

The purpose of the review will be to establish the ongoing viability of each scheme in the context of the overall objectives of the CE programme and recognising in particular the community and social value of each CE scheme.

In the event that the reduction in the training and material grant announced in the Budget creates financial difficulties for schemes that would otherwise be viable, the Department of Social Protection will be in a position to fund such schemes from within the overall Departmental Vote.

Yours sincerely,

Joan Burton
Minister for Social Protection