Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2015
151. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on widening the eligibility for community employment schemes in areas where places are unfilled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42594/15]
View answerThe Department keeps the eligibility criteria for Community Employment (CE) places under review to ensure that these are effective in targeting long-term unemployed jobseekers.
The number of unemployed persons (seasonally adjusted) has dropped from 267,000 (12.4%) in October 2013 to 192,400 (8.9%) in October 2015 (CSO). With the numbers of unemployed falling, demand for CE places may vary.
In terms of duration of participants on CE, the programme provides extended durations for certain cohorts, up to three years for persons between 35 and under 55 years of age and six years for persons of 55 years of age depending on duration of unemployment on entering CE. Persons with a disability-linked social welfare payment can qualify for an additional year on the above. These durations of participation support schemes as well as providing valuable work placements and training to participants. There are no plans to widen the eligibility further for CE.
