Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1548. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to increase the number of persons on community employment, Tús and the rural social scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36086/17]
View answerMy Department offers a wide range of employment initiatives including Community Employment (CE), Tús and the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) which provide income support and activation supports catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market.
As the economic recovery takes hold and the overall level of unemployment continues to fall, the Department recognised the need to adapt these schemes to the changing circumstances, opportunities and needs of jobseekers and others. An Analysis of the CE Programme was completed by the Department in late 2015 and was published following Government approval in April 2017.
The review looked at CE, TÚS, Gateway and the RSS. It was agreed by Government that the overall number of scheme places available in 2017 will be 32,000. CE will continue to be the largest programme in 2017 with 22,400 places available in over 950 schemes across the country. The balance will be made up of placements in schemes such as the RSS (3,100) and Tús/Gateway (6,500). The Deputy should note that the RSS number reflects an increase of 500 participant places which were announced at the beginning of this year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
