The primary aim of community employment is to facilitate re-entry to the active workforce. This is achieved by breaking the cycle of unemployment, opening up training and educational opportunities, providing work experience and work routines and utilising the skills sets.
Operationally, community employment has two options with different eligibility rules and conditions. The part-time integration option is designed to help participants find a job or enter full time training or education normally after one year on community employment. In certain circumstances, an extension of one year can be granted under this option. A person who is aged 35 or over and is claiming a jobseeker's payment for three years or more can qualify for the part-time job option. With this option, a person can work up for up to three years in recognition of the need to provide access to a part-time job for extended periods for persons in this eligibility category. Persons in receipt of any disability-linked Social Protection payments may be eligible for one additional year's participation. Lifetime participation on CE is capped at three years for those aged under 55 years and six years for those aged 55 years and over. The criteria for the consideration of extensions has not changed and my Department is not considering any proposals at this time.
As with all programmes and schemes, community employment will be considered in the context of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review which is currently being finalised and may be affected by decisions made by the Government in its determination of the conclusion of that review. Additionally, I have already indicated that I will be looking at all programmes and schemes supporting those who are unemployed to see if they can be made more responsive to the needs of the individual in preparing them for a return to the labour market generally.
The Deputy should note that day-to-day administration of community employment is a matter for FÁS as part of its responsibility under the Labour Services Act, 1987, as amended by Part 3 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010. The Minister of the day has no role in respect of any administrative matter.
