Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
587. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the position, whereby a person who is in receipt of widow's contributory pension, can participate on a community employment scheme; if such participation will affect their entitlement to the widow's contributory pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48563/12]
View answerA person of 25 years of age or over who is currently in receipt of Widow's/Widower's Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension for a minimum of 12 months is eligible to participate on the Community Employment (CE) programme, as per the published eligibility criteria.
From 16th January 2012, new participants on CE schemes will not be able to simultaneously claim their original social welfare payment and a Community Employment allowance, as per section 12 of the Social Welfare Act 2011. This measure affects those in receipt of the following payments commencing CE after that date:
One Parent Family Payment
Deserted Wife’s Benefit
Widow(er)s Pension (Contributory or Non-Contributory)
Illness Benefit
Disability Allowance
Invalidity Pension
Blind Pension
These new CE participants will receive payments directly via the CE scheme at a rate equivalent to their original social welfare payment (including any increase for a qualified adult and/or child dependants) plus an additional €20 CE participation bonus.
New participants are defined as those persons who, with effect from 16th January 2012, have not been employed on a CE scheme in the 12 months prior to commencing the current CE placement.
