The cuts to material and training grants for community employment schemes announced in December’s Budget have been partially reversed, the Department of Social Protection confirmed yesterday.
The allocation for 2012 is almost double the amount announced in the Budget.
The funding of €20.5 million is €9.5 million higher than previously announced.
A cut in the training and materials grant paid to community employment schemes from €1,500 to € 500 per participant per annum, was announced in the Budget.
The partial reversal came after a review of the spending cut was completed by the department.
The grants given will be based on the individual needs of sponsors rather than the traditional grant model, the department said in a statement. Grants approved were based on discussions with scheme sponsors. Over 1,100 schemes employ 22,000 long-term unemployed and disadvantaged people in local community jobs.
The review was welcomed by union Siptu which said this would ensure no scheme would close.
