Community Employment Schemes
Dail Éireann — 2021-10-07
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Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (FF), Carlow-Kilkenny

When the new conditions were introduced to CE schemes in July 2017, a two-strand approach was adopted, with all CE placements categorised into two strands: social inclusion, to acknowledge that not all CE placements were the same and to provide an opportunity for those who are distant from the labour market to work and deliver services in their local communities; and job activation, which was more directly related to job opportunities for long-term unemployed. I feel that over the years, the Government concentrated on the job activation element of the CE schemes and did not value or appreciate the important social inclusion element of these schemes and the vital work that they do. Indeed, I know that many stakeholders are interested in that strand, which involves retraining and expanding. The change to the standardised condition relating to the period for which a participant can remain in the CE scheme is most welcome. I am very aware of the social inclusion element, but what I want to know is what is the availability of places for those over the age of 62.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2021-10-07/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:49:40+00:00
Sitting date: 2021-10-07