Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

Question 228: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the extension of a community employment scheme in respect of a person (details supplied). [17080/11]

Joan Burton (Minister, Department of Social Protection; Dublin West, Labour)

As 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 (CE) programme. The administration of individual cases under CE 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.

Extensions of a CE placement have to be requested a minimum of eight weeks before the participant’s proposed finish date by the CE Project Supervisor. Once an extension application is received by the local FÁS office, the FÁS Development Officer decides whether the extra year’s placement is the most suitable and cost effective measure to assist the client in gaining employment. Clients who are deemed job-ready by the Supervisor are not extended in order to free up the place for another client. If no request for an extension is requested then the person must leave the scheme and re-qualify under the published eligibility rules for any further participation on the CE scheme.