asked the Minister for Labour the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has not been considered for employment under the social employment scheme even though he has identified a suitable employer and vacancy, and has been unemployed and signing on for a number of years.
Written Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.
81.
In order to participate in a social employment scheme project, a person must be unemployed for more than one year; be aged 25 years and be in receipt of unemployment assistance. The criterion regarding unemployment assistance provides the most cost-effective means of giving priority to those people most in need of a job and wage.
I understand that the person referred to applied at the Employment Exchange in Mullingar for unemployment assistance in June 1983, and again in June 1985. On both occasions he was deemed to be ineligible due to excess means. Although he continues to sign on at the Employment Exchange he is not in receipt of unemployment assistance and is, therefore, ineligible for participation on the social employment scheme.