My Department provides a range of activation supports and programmes catering for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. This includes programmes such as Tús and Community Employment (CE). As the Deputy will be aware, both of these schemes provide part-time temporary work for participants in local communities as a stepping-stone back to employment. These schemes help to break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market.
I am conscious of the valuable contribution the schemes are making in the provision of services to individuals and communities across Ireland. Many participants on Tús and CE are working in placements that assist tidy towns initiatives and the schemes will continue to support this valuable work. Participation limits on work schemes are important as they allow for the utilisation of places amongst qualifying persons to ensure the benefits of participation are available and shared amongst the widest possible number of jobseekers.
The current eligibility rules and maximum durations allowed for participants are quite varied in terms of the underlying age, duration and other terms and conditions that apply across the employment programmes. This makes it very difficult for potential participants to understand and also for the overall administration of the schemes. I intend, in the coming weeks, to publish some changes to the participation terms and conditions to make them easier to navigate and manage. My Department will also be consulting with the various stakeholders about the changes.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
