Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2015
49. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an exemption to the existing rules on community employment schemes, to enable participants who are over 60 years of age to continue after retirement. [29363/15]
View answerThe aim of Community Employment (CE) is to enhance the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities on a temporary basis. The Department’s priority in supporting CE is having access to schemes that can provide job seekers and other vulnerable groups with good quality work experience and training qualifications to support their progression into employment. The proportion of participants over 60 years of age is currently 11.4% (June 2015).
Persons of 60 years of age or over can participate for a cumulative maximum of 6 years on CE, with one additional year being available for persons who were in receipt of a disability-linked social welfare payment.
Participation on CE ranges from 1 year up to 6 years for participants depending on their eligibility and 7 years for people with a disability. This is extensive for an active labour market programme. However, I am currently examining this issue.
