There are currently no plans to lower the standard qualifying period in receipt of CE-eligible payments from the current 12 month duration, as Community Employment is primarily aimed at long-term unemployed persons, which is generally defined as one year or more on the Live Register. Persons who claim Jobseekers Benefit from 3April 2013 can only claim for a maximum duration of 9 months provided they have 260 or more contributions (or 6 months if less than 260 contributions). Persons who exhaust their entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit can subsequently apply for Jobseeker's Allowance, provided they meet the conditions for receipt of that payment. For the purposes of eligibility for Community Employment, a person can combine time spent in receipt of Jobseeker's Benefit with time spent in receipt of another CE-eligible social welfare payment, such as Jobseeker's Allowance, providing it makes up a continuous 12-month qualifying period and that the person is still currently in receipt of a qualifying payment immediately prior to commencing CE. Persons not eligible for other assistance payments due to a partner’s income may, however, be eligible for participation on other programmes, although they may not qualify for payment of an allowance e.g. FÁS training courses. Such persons are advised to contact their local Employment Services Office or Intreo office (where available) where an Employment Services Officer will be happy to discuss the employment and training options that are open to them.
In relation to JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme, jobseekers who have a live claim and have been in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance/Jobseeker's Benefit/One Parent Family Payment/Disability Allowance or signing for Social Insurance Contribution credits for at least 3 months (78 days) or more in the last 6 months are eligible to participate.
