I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 118 together.
The aim of Community Employment (CE) is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. In addition, it helps long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine.Participation on CE is for a 12 month period with the participant working 19.5 hours a week. The general rule to qualify for participation on CE is to be in receipt of a qualifying payment for 12 months or more.
Any person who has been granted Refugee status is eligible to apply for CE. However, International Protection Applicants who are in direct provision are not eligible for CE as they are not in receipt of a qualifying payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.