Joan Burton, TD and Minister for Social Protection today (17^th July) announced that the Review of Community Employment Schemes has been completed and that Dublin West schemes and sponsors are being advised of their approved materials and training grant for 2012.

The materials and training CE Budget has been increased by €9.5million from the original budget of approximately €11.0 million following transfer from savings identified elsewhere in the DSP budget.  The new CE materials and training budget is now €20.5million.

Increased allocations were based on discussions that took place between schemes and officers and in so far as possible took account of the individual circumstances of the schemes.

A revised funding program was based on the individualised needs of sponsors rather than the traditional standard grant model.  The awards made to Dublin West Schemes also reflect the reduced insurance and audit fees that have been negotiated.

“Following consultation with CE sponsors, schemes will no longer be given universal amounts of financial support but will instead be provided with a specific level of support aimed at meeting the particular costs of CE schemes, having regard to the overall level of funding available for CE nationally.

“To date, significant savings have already been made to the overheads of CE projects in terms of annual insurance costs and audit fees.   In addition to the training allocation for schemes, CE participants may also access a number of Springboard, VEC and FÁS courses free of charge,” said Minister Burton.

“Each Community Employment scheme has been notified of its revised Material and Training allocation based on the amounts recommended by the Departments’ divisional staff, following consultation with schemes.  There is an appeals process for any scheme who considers that their Materials and Training Grant will not cover the cost of their CE scheme,” added the Minister.