Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 July 2012
253 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person who is unemployed and signing for credits is ineligible for the community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34408/12]
View answerCommunity Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment and/or further education and training. The core eligibility criterion for CE is that the person is in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment and is either long term unemployed or socially marginalised.
At present persons signing for credits or who are otherwise ineligible for a social welfare payment, do not meet the eligibility requirements for participation on the CE Scheme. They may, however, be eligible for participation on other Departmental programmes or FÁS programmes, although they may not qualify for payment of an allowance.
Such persons are advised to contact their local DSP Employment Services Office where an Employment Services Officer will be happy to discuss the employment and training options that are open to them.
There are no proposals currently under consideration in regard to making changes to the national operation of the Community Employment programme. Within the current very difficult budgetary constraints, the number of places on Community Employment have been maintained in 2012.
