Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2011
273 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the rate of pay on a community employment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if this will be rectified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11601/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Social Protection, I do not have a role in the administration of individual cases in regard to the operation of the Community Employment programme. The administration of individual cases under Community Employment is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as part of its responsibility under the Labour Services Act 1987, as amended by Part 3 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010. The person in question was in receipt of jobseeker's allowance of €73.90 per week prior to commencing Community Employment, which indicates that he/she had means assessed against his/her maximum family entitlement to jobseeker's allowance (including provision of his/her spouse and two children). In circumstances where the actual weekly payment drops below the standard €188 social welfare payment, as in this case, the person is placed on the minimum FÁS-funded allowance grant to the community employment employer for the participant which is equivalent to the single adult rate of €208 per week. By participating on community employment, the person is €134.10 per week better off.
