I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 392 together.
Tús, the community work placement initiative, came into operation in the middle of 2011. To date 6,617 people have completed or are currently on work placements. This figure includes supervisory/team leader positions. As a new initiative, Tús continues to be monitored and developed and to date has proven to be effective in meeting its objective. I have no proposals to alter the arrangements in place either for the selection of participants, the duration of their engagement or the eligibility requirements relating to the recruitment to supervisory or team leader position.
I consider the engagement of 12-months to be adequate to meet the objectives of the initiative and to provide these work placement opportunities to as many of those on the live register. It is essential that we ensure that as many unemployed people as possible are able to benefit from this initiative and this would not be facilitated by extending the duration of existing placements.
Tús is being delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta (Implementing Bodies) and participants are identified by the Department using a random selection process. As directed by my Department, the Implementing Body must conduct an assessment of each participant’s skills, work experience, level of education and needs. Following profiling and interview, the Implementing Body identifies the type of work placement most suited to the participant’s skills and needs and matches the participant to the available positions offered by the community, voluntary and not-for-profit sector locally. The Implementing Body must ensure that the activity builds on the individual’s capabilities and has the potential to move the participant towards employment. Given the limitations of the placement providers, it is not always possible to get a suitable work placement match.
Eligibility for both participants and supervisory/team leader positions on Tús is confined to those on the Live Register for at least 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance. These provisions are to ensure a targeted approach to those currently affected by long-term unemployment. I consider the approach reasonable given the current employment environment.