Funded by the Department of Social Protection, SWMDCo has sponsored two Community Employment (CE) schemes since 2010. The schemes are divided between the south and west of our area and we employ two Supervisors and an Assistant Supervisor to manage 50 participants. A total of 21 community organisations benefit from our CE schemes. What do CE schemes do?
CE Schemes provide meaningful part-time employment to long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged groups. CE participants help our communities to provide vital social and community services that would otherwise be unaffordable. Childcare, elder care, environmental and resource workers, bus drivers, and caretakers are typical areas of work.

How do you qualify for Community Employment?
As a general rule you must be over 21 and in receipt of a social welfare payment for at least 12 months. Rules can vary for different people so you must check out your eligibility according to your own situation.

A new pilot scheme allows a percentage of participants who are over 62 years to stay on the scheme until retirement age. A complete list of eligibility criteria can be found at www.citizensinformation.ie.

Our CE schemes also have a training budget which is allocated to each participant so they can upskill while on CE. The training and work experience gained on CE, helps participants' chances of finding employment. In fact, last year 10 participants who finished on our CE schemes gained employment. Our annual CE budget is €750,000.

Who can I talk to about SWMDCo's CE schemes?
Ann Connor        (Supervisor - West)
T: 087 223 6906    E: aconnor@southmayo.com
Norah Campbell    (Assistant Supervisor - West)
T: 087 131 5082    E: ncampbell@southmayo.com
Declan Walsh    Supervisor (South)
T: 087 223 6906    E: dwalsh@southmayo.com

CE Scheme Administrators: Mary Corless, Margaret Lawless and Peg McGrail.

West Mayo CE provides support for the following community organisations:

Sharkey Hill Homework Club
Sharkey Hill playschool and afterschool
Meals on Wheels Westport
Rugby Club Westport
St Vincent de Paul Castlebar
Cuan Modh Newport (Elder Care)
Linenhall Arts Centre

South Mayo CE supports community organisations in Claremorris and Ballinrobe areas.  Those organisations include:

Tacu Family Resource Centre Ballinrobe
Curam in Claremorris
Community Projects in Brickens, Balla, Partry and Robeen

CE Staff from left: Mary Corless; Ann Connor; Declan Walsh; Norah Campbell; Margaret Lawless