Pat Breen
Ceist:411 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Clare can be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21976/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 1 May 2012
Ceisteanna (340)
Freagraí scríofa
In April 2000, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) introduced capped limits on the amount of time that a person could participate on Community Employment. Community Employment capping was introduced to facilitate the movement of participants though the programme, allowing new participants who may not otherwise have such an opportunity, avail of the programme.
In order for a participant to remain on CE for more than one year, certain conditions must be met. One condition is that a participant must have a minimum of a 156 week period on the Live Register, Community Employment, other recognised training interventions such FÁS training, or a combination of all these. Of these 156 weeks, 52 weeks must have been continuously spent on the Live Register prior to start in order to qualify for CE in the first place. Unfortunately, the person referred to does not have the appropriate level of qualification time to remain on CE past his finish date of 22 June 2012. It is not possible within current regulations to extend his participation further; however, he may be advised to discuss further training or employment options with his local Employment Services. The Ennis Office can be contacted on 065-6868280 to arrange same.