Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2014
173. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will change the rules of the Tús scheme so that persons apply to participate; and if she will provide for accredited education and training of appropriate duration while on the scheme. [45131/14]
View answerTús, the community work placement initiative introduced during 2011, provides short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. Some 7,865 are currently engaged on Tús as of 20th November 2014.
A key feature of Tús is that all selection is undertaken by random processes conducted at local level by the Department. The selection is focused on those on the Live Register for a year or more and in receipt of a jobseekers’ payment who have more limited job or work placement opportunities. Tús is part of a suite of interventions the Department funds that are designed to meet the priorities established by the Government in Pathways to Work. I do not consider that there is a need to change the selection process for Tús. A range of other schemes operate on a self-selecting basis whereby a person who is unemployed can apply to participate.
The objective of Tús is to maintain the work readiness of jobseekers and it is not proposed to provide accredited education and training given that such opportunities are provided under Community Employment. The Department provides a range of income support to support jobseekers and others who wish to engage in training and education. In the main, such supports are provided under the Back to Education programme.
Advice on the opportunities across a range of work placement, internships, self-employment, training and educational supports and options can be accessed via the Department’s offices and Intreo service and further information is available on the Department’s website – www.welfare.ie.
