Lowry welcomes €1,000 grant for Community Employment Schemes

Independent North Tipperary TD Michael Lowry has warmly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, of additional grant funding of €1,000 for Community Employment (CE) sponsor organisations to assist with materials costs.

The once-off grant will be made available to all Community Employment sponsors nationwide and comes at a time when many community organisations are facing increasing financial pressures.

Commenting on the announcement, Deputy Michael Lowry said:

“I very much welcome Minister Calleary’s decision to provide an additional €1,000 grant to Community Employment sponsor organisations. CE schemes play an absolutely vital role in communities right across the country, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas, and this extra funding will be of real practical benefit on the ground.

“Community Employment not only provides invaluable services such as childcare supports, meals on wheels, tidy towns initiatives and the upkeep of local amenities, but it also offers participants meaningful work experience, training and a pathway back into the workforce. The contribution made by CE participants and sponsors alike cannot be overstated.”

Deputy Lowry noted that there are over 800 CE schemes nationwide, supporting almost 20,000 participants, and that the programme remains a cornerstone of community development and social inclusion.

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“With rising costs impacting community groups everywhere, this additional support is both timely and necessary,” he added. “It demonstrates a clear recognition by Government of the pressures facing CE sponsors and of the importance of sustaining the essential services they provide.

“I will continue to support measures that strengthen Community Employment schemes and ensure they have the resources required to serve both participants and the wider community effectively.”