Tony Gregory
Question:304 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 will receive an area allowance in view of her special circumstances. [7336/98]
Written Answers. - Employment Support Services.
The person concerned is employed under the job initiative scheme. Under that scheme, 1,000 jobs have been made available, with local sponsors, to persons over 35 who have been unemployed for more than five years. The jobs, which last for three years, are full-time and at going rates of pay. The person concerned is due to complete the scheme at the end of 1999.
Under present arrangements, to qualify for area enterprise allowance a person must have been at least 12 months on the live register. Periods spent on the Jobs initiative are not reckonable for the purpose of qualifying for this allowance. It is suggested that the person concerned discuss with her local employment service the options which might be available to her on completion of her present employment.