Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 March 2012
267 Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an offer of a placement in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 was rescinded; if she will arrange for the matter to be examined again in view of the fact that this person was eligible for the scheme throughout the duration of the interview process but their eligibility only came to an end just prior to an offer of a placement being made. [12506/12]
View answerThe Community Employment Programme is a labour market intervention designed to assist the long term unemployed return to the work force. Persons eligible to apply should be aged 25-65 years who are unemployed for over 12 months and who are currently in receipt of one of the following payments from the Department of Social Protection:
Jobseeker's Benefit (JB).
Jobseeker's Assistance (JA).
One-Parent Family payment (OFP).
Widows/Widowers/Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension.
Widows/Widowers/Surviving Civil Partner's (Non Contributory) Pension.
Deserted Wife's Benefit (DWB).
Farm Assist (FA).
Time spent in receipt of carers allowance or time spent on recognised training or employment programmes, in addition to receipt of above payments, can make up the qualifying period of 12 months. To be eligible to participate on a community employment scheme, it is mandatory that all participants are currently in receipt of one of the above listed payments on their expected CE start date.
The person concerned was on jobseeker's benefit from 7th August 2010 until 10th February 2012 during which time she completed a FÁS Computerised Accounts and Payroll course for 26 weeks. Entitlement of the person concerned to jobseeker's benefit ceased on 10th February 2012 and she was no longer eligible to start on a CE scheme after that date. However, if the person concerned would like to speak to a employment services officer to explore her training options, an appointment can be made for her at her local employment services office.
