Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1124: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether there is a strong case to extend the time permitted for those on community employment schemes, who are in receipt of disability payments and who have obtained special social welfare rule 5 exemptions, to enable them to do up to twenty hours work per week as a rehabilitative measure; if he will therefore extend such time limits to coincide with the time limits allowed under social welfare rate 5 exemptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2847/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Currently, participants on Community Employment (CE) may remain on the programme for the duration of their Department of Social & Family Affairs (DSFA) exemptions which are typically issued for a period of up to one year.

In order to participate on a CE project, those in receipt of a disability linked Social Welfare benefit must obtain a DSFA 'exemption from the rules of behaviour' as referred to by the Deputy.

If a participant on CE is, on the expiry of the first year, offered a further year on CE, then DSFA will review and may extend the exemption.

To cater for those with a disability and older workers in particular, the position is that:

Those aged 55 years and over and with a disability avail of up to 7 years on CE (based on participation since 3rd April, 2000).

Those aged under 55 years and with a disability avail of up to 4 years on CE (based on participation since 3rd April, 2000).