Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2012
404 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection whether a person who is in receipt of one-parent family payment before taking up a place on a community employment scheme will be automatically put back on one-parent family payment following the end of their CE programme if they still qualify, or whether they will be treated as a new one-parent family applicant. [11422/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe community employment (CE) scheme enables lone parents to return to the workforce by offering them part-time and temporary placements in work positions based within local communities.Prior to Budget 2012, lone parents who entered CE were entitled to retain their one-parent family payment (OFP). From 16 January, 2012, new participants on CE will not be able to claim a social welfare payment at the same time. As such, from that date onwards, when a lone parent enters CE, their OFP claim will be closed. This will not affect those who are currently in receipt of the OFP and on CE. Upon completion of a CE scheme, lone parents are encouraged to seek permanent part-time and full-time work elsewhere based on the experience and new skills that they have gained from CE. However, if their circumstances remain unchanged and work is unavailable, they can apply for the OFP and, if so, their claim will be treated as a new one.
405 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection if the new partial capacity benefit scheme will allow persons covered by the scheme to apply for community employment places. [11423/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Partial Capacity Benefit scheme was formally launched on Monday 13 February 2012. Full details of the scheme have been published on my Department's website and an information leaflet has also been published.
The Partial Capacity Benefit scheme provides an opportunity for people with disabilities, and assessed to have an employment capacity which is restricted when compared to the norm, to avail of employment opportunities in the open labour market while continuing to receive an income support payment.
From 16 January 2012, new participants on Community Employment schemes will not be able to simultaneously claim their original social welfare payment and a Community Employment allowance. These arrangements apply also to claimants of the Partial Capacity Benefit. Accordingly, it will not be open to claimants to retain Partial Capacity Benefit while on a Community Employment scheme.
