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Community and Employment Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2013

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Questions (311, 323, 327, 337, 338)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

311. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a resolution available to the anomaly that prevented a person (details supplied) in Cork from pursuing an appropriate supervisory position with TÚS because of participation in a less appropriate community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12556/13]

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Pat Breen

Question:

323. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to change the criteria for a scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12639/13]

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Dara Murphy

Question:

327. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if it possible for a person (details supplied) in County Cork to accept a job on the Tús scheme having in the past 12 months been on a community employment scheme, which although is not jobseeker's is still a payment from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12716/13]

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Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

337. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person secures a three to six month community employment supervisor contract will that preclude them from applying for a Tús supervisor's position for the following 18 months. [12827/13]

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Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

338. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the eligibility criteria for the position of Tús supervisor, in the event of the two schemes, Tús and Fás, being linked and if she will outline the eligibility criteria in that situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12828/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 311, 323, 327, 337 and 338 together.

TÚS, the community work placement initiative introduced during 2011, was initially set up to provide up to 5,000 short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. As part of the 2013 budget package for the Department of Social Protection, the number of places on Tús is being extended by 2,500 so that the total places approved will increase from 5,000 to 7,500. To date 8,178 people have completed or are currently on work placements. This figure includes supervisory/team leader positions. As a relatively new initiative, Tús continues to be monitored and developed and to date has proven to be effective in meeting its objectives.

A person cannot apply to participate on Tús. All selection is undertaken by random processes conducted at local level by the Department of Social Protection. The selection is focused on those on the live register for a year or more and in receipt of a jobseekers’ payment. I consider the current selection process effective and I have no proposals to alter these arrangements. Eligibility for supervisory/team leader positions on Tús is the same for participants, i.e. it is confined to those on the Live Register for at least 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance at the time of application. A person on a community employment scheme does not meet the criteria as they are not in receipt of a jobseekers payment. Tús is focused on those on the Live Register for a year or more and have more limited job or work placement opportunities.

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