Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012
538 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will allocate additional spaces and extend the participation periods for persons participating in a scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18164/12]
View answerTús, the community work placement initiative introduced during 2011, will provide up to 5,000 short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year when fully operational. This initiative is being delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Of the 5,000 placements initially planned for Tús, Clare Local Development Company Limited was allocated a total of 100 placements and 5 supervisor positions in the initial round of allocations. In early March 2012 the Department reallocated 440 participant placements and 22 supervisory positions to those companies that had reached full implementation and where there was a demand from community and voluntary sector organisations for work to be undertaken. Clare Local Development Company Limited was successful in this round and was allocated an extra 20 participant placements and 1 supervisory position.
The purpose of Tús is the provision of quality work for those who are unemployed in order to break the cycle of unemployment and to improve a person's opportunities in returning to the labour market. I consider the existing 12-month period on Tús to be adequate to meet the objectives of the initiative whilst also ensuring that as many unemployed people as possible are able to benefit.
