Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
440. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will change the application criteria for community employment schemes to coincide with the reduction of jobseeker's benefit to nine months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58075/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently no plans to lower the standard qualifying period in receipt of CE-eligible payments from the current 12 month duration, as Community Employment is primarily aimed at long-term unemployed persons, which is generally defined as one year or more on the Live Register. Persons who claim Jobseekers Benefit from 3rd April 2013 will only be able to claim for a maximum duration of 9 months provided they have 260 or more contributions (or 6 months if less than 260 contributions).
Persons who exhaust their entitlement to Jobseekers Benefit can subsequently apply for Jobseekers Allowance, provided they meet the conditions for receipt of that payment. For the purposes of eligibility for Community Employment, a person can combine time spent in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit with time spent in receipt of another CE-eligible social welfare payment, such as Jobseekers Allowance, providing it makes up a continuous 12-month qualifying period and that the person is still currently in receipt of a qualifying payment immediately prior to commencing CE.
