New measures announced to support Community Employment Schemes nationwide

The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister of State, Joe O’Brien TD, have today announced a series of improvements to Community Employment (CE) Schemes.

There are 835 CE Schemes nationwide delivering a wide range of community services, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Currently, there are over 18,500 CE participants. As part of the package secured by the Ministers, the following measures are being introduced:

- The payment of a €1,000 grant to CE sponsor organisations to help them deal with rising costs;
- Adult dependants of CE participants in receipt of a Jobseeker’s Payment will qualify in their own right for the first time;
- Eligibility for CE Schemes will be reduced from 12 months on the live register to 9 months for Ukrainian nationals who have fled the war.

Announcing the changes today, Minister Humphreys said: “As Minister for both Social Protection and Rural and Community Development, I recognise the vital role that Community Employment schemes and their participants play in local communities right across the country.

“These schemes support a range of key local services in areas such as childcare, meals on wheels, the maintenance and upkeep of local amenities and other vital works designed to enhance our towns and villages. I am therefore delighted to announce this series of changes which will benefit both the CE organisations and participants themselves.”

Minister Humphreys continued: “Like any organisation, CE bodies have been impacted by increased inflation. I’m therefore pleased to announce the payment of a grant of €1,000 to support CE bodies to assist them with their bills.

“Minister O’Brien and I are also aware that some local schemes have been experiencing difficulties in filling vacancies which in turn can have an impact on the delivery of important local services. Therefore, we are extending the criteria of those who can participate on CE Schemes to adult dependents on jobseeker payments for the first time.

“And finally, in support of Ukrainian nationals living here, we are pleased to reduce the period of time that someone is required to have spent on the Live Register from 12 months to 9 months.

“This substantial package is on top of the range of measures that we have introduced to support CE participants and indeed CE organisations themselves over recent budgets.”