Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:111 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Labour if he will amend the regulations governing social employment schemes so that persons with less than 12 months of unemployment benefit will be able to participate in the schemes.
Written Answers. - Social Employment Schemes.
The social employment scheme is the principal labour market intervention aimed at the long term unemployed and the eligibility conditions for the scheme reflect this focus. Participants must be over 25 years of age and in receipt of either unemployment benefit for 12 months or unemployment assistance.
I have no plans to change these eligibility conditions as to do so would alter the thrust of the scheme and deprive the long term unemployed of much needed work opportunities.