The Complete Guide to the CE Scheme in Ireland (2026)

What is the Community Employment Scheme?

Community Employment (CE) is Ireland's oldest and most established work experience programme. Run by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, it's designed to give people a real job in their community, paid training, and support to move into permanent work.

CE is not about busy-work. You'll be doing genuine roles—maintaining parks, helping in community centres, supporting people with disabilities, helping in schools or libraries. You're building real skills, references, and confidence.

Who Can Join CE?

You must meet these conditions:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have been on Jobseeker's Benefit or Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 12 months
• Be available to start work within two weeks of being offered a place
• Have a PPS number

The 12-month jobseeker requirement is strict, but there are exceptions if you're coming off disability allowance, carers allowance, or other long-term payments. Ask your Intreo officer—they'll know if you qualify.

How Much Will You Earn?

As of January 2026, the CE payment is €286.50 per week. This is taxable income, so you'll get a payslip like a regular job.

If you have dependent children, you may qualify for additional child benefit payments. Ask about this at your Intreo Centre—it can add €30–€50+ per week depending on how many kids.

You'll also keep your rent allowance or housing support (if you were getting it before CE). You won't lose accommodation payments.

What Hours and Work Will You Do?

CE is 19.5 hours per week. Usually this is spread across 4 days, giving you a long weekend. The exact schedule depends on your placement.

The types of work include:

• Community services: Supporting vulnerable adults, helping in community centres, youth groups
• Environmental: Parks maintenance, environmental conservation projects
• Education and care: Supporting teachers or support staff in schools, childcare settings
• Heritage and culture: Museums, historical sites, local heritage projects
• Health and wellbeing: Community health projects, mental health support services
• Social enterprises: Retail, food production, or services run by local charities

You're employed by the local community organisation, not the government. You'll have a supervisor, work targets, and real responsibilities.

Training and Support

Training is a key part of CE. You're required to do 100–200 hours of training over your time in the scheme, depending on the programme.

This training is:

• Accredited (QQI level 3, 4, or 5 depending on the course)
• Delivered during your CE hours or sometimes on Fridays
• Free to you
• Relevant to the work you're doing or a career goal you have

Examples: Customer service certificates, food safety, health and safety, IT skills, communications, childcare qualifications.

How Long Is CE?

CE runs for 1 to 3 years. You and your supervisor agree on the length when you start. Most people do 2 years because it gives you time to get solid training and experience without losing momentum.

If you find a job before your CE contract ends, you can leave early with no penalty. In fact, that's the whole goal.

The Real Value: Transition to Permanent Work

CE's success metric is moving people into jobs. About 25–30% of CE participants move directly into permanent employment with the organization they worked for during CE, or with similar employers.

Here's why CE is so powerful for getting a job:

• Real experience: You're doing genuine work, not a training simulation. Your employer can see what you're actually capable of.
• Reference: After 12+ months, you have a solid work reference that counts.
• Confidence: You're back in a work routine. You know what a job feels like.
• CV proof: You can point to real achievements: "Managed X project," "Trained Y people," "Increased efficiency by Z%."

Many CE participants get hired by their own organization after their scheme ends. If not, you've got the experience and reference to move on.

How to Apply for CE

The process is straightforward:

1. Check eligibility: Are you 21+? Have you been on jobseeker's for 12+ months? If yes, move to step 2.
2. Contact Intreo: Go to your local Intreo Centre or call them. They'll verify your eligibility and discuss CE with you.
3. Register on JobsIreland.ie: You can also register online at JobsIreland.ie and filter for "Community Employment" roles.
4. Apply to specific placements: Your Intreo officer will tell you about available CE positions. You apply directly to the organization.
5. Interview and start: Each organisation interviews its own CE recruits. If selected, you'll usually start within 2 weeks.

Tips for Getting the Most from CE

What Happens After CE?

At the end of your CE contract, you have three options:

• Permanent job with the same organisation: Many CE hosts hire their best staff. Ask your supervisor about this 3–6 months before the end.
• Job with another employer: You've got experience, a reference, and training. Apply for permanent roles. Your CE placement is now a real job on your CV.
• Further training or another scheme: If permanent work isn't ready yet, you might do Springboard+, WPEP, or return to jobseeker while you keep applying.

You cannot do two CE placements back-to-back. You'd need to return to regular jobseeker status for at least 12 months first.

Key Takeaway

CE is not just unemployment benefit with a job label. It's a genuine way to get back into work if you've been out for a year or more. The payment is stable, the training is real, and many people use it as a springboard to permanent employment.

The biggest thing is treating it like a real job—because it is. Show up, do good work, get the training, build the reference. That's how you move forward.