Vol. 418 No. 7
341 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Labour if he is prepared to change the regulations in relation to the conditions under which FÁS may sanction the employment of persons under the social employment scheme so as to ensure that persons who are in receipt of social welfare payments, other than unemployment assistance, could qualify and be eligible for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The social employment scheme is the principal manpower intervention aimed at the long term unemployed and the eligibility conditions for the scheme reflect this focus. Participants must be over 25 years of age and in receipt of either unemployment benefit for 12 months or unemployment assistance. The one exception to this is disabled persons in receipt of disabled persons maintenance allowance who are eligible to participate provided they can undertake the position on offer.
I have no plans to change these eligibility conditions as to do so would alter the thrust of the scheme.
