Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tús is a work placement scheme which aims to provide work opportunities for those who are unemployed, while also assisting in providing certain services to benefit communities. Currently, there is a restriction on the random selection process for those on jobseeker's allowance as they are engaging with JobPath. Removing those restrictions would significantly increase the number of participants available to Tús, resulting in a higher number of jobseekers gaining the opportunity to get involved in their local community. Companies are welcoming the new July stimulus package of 3,000 extra Tús and community employment places but are worried that with the present restrictions, they will find it difficult to fill the current quotas in place, not because of lack of eligible participants but because of the rule which states that those currently engaging with JobPath are not available for random selection for Tús. Change is needed here, especially in the current climate as unemployment figures are high and community groups are struggling for assistance. One year is not long enough for most individuals on the Tús scheme. By the time the participants have been trained and community groups become familiar with them, it is time for them to leave the scheme. Three years is also a long time for a person to wait before becoming eligible to re-enter the Tús scheme. The period should be reduced to one year. If persons have not found employment in the year after Tús, they should have the option of coming back to Tús to gain more assistance and experience. On the rural social scheme also, if the six-year rule continues, we will not be able to fill all of the places on the scheme. The positions created under the stimulus package are important. I ask the Deputy Leader to take this on board and change those rules as quickly as possible. I raised this issue briefly with the Minister yesterday.