Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 1318: To ask the Minister for Social Protection his proposals for the development of 40,000 community type jobs for citizens who are currently unemployed; if the partnership/Leader and local development companies will be involved in the roll-out of this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33379/10]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 1376: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will outline the full conditions of the work for the dole scheme; if he will indicate the qualifying criteria applying, if candidates will be self selected or chosen directly by his Department; the distinction, if any, between this scheme and existing social employment schemes; if there will be any mandatory element to it; the budget set aside for the scheme; the number of places envisaged and the expected starting date. [33987/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1291, 1318 and 1376 together.

Activation and support for those who are unemployed is a key priority for Government. Earlier this year, the Taoiseach announced a number of changes to improve the delivery of employment, training and community services to the public by bringing together related responsibilities in these areas. These changes included the restructuring of Departmental responsibilities with the objective of providing a stream-lined response to the income support and job search needs of people who are unemployed.

In this context, my Department is currently finalising proposals for the development of new initiatives based on the Rural Social Scheme and the Community Services Programme which will offer social employment opportunities. Considerable work is required on these proposals before they come on stream and take their place within the suite of activation measures aimed at supporting unemployed people. I have not set targets as to how many employment opportunities might be created as much depends on the level of resources that will be available to the Department and the capacity of not-for-profit community based organisations to avail of these emerging opportunities. Details of the rollout of this initiative will be made available as soon as possible.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1292: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have applied for mortgage interest supplement for each month for the past year; and the number of the 2010 applicants who have been awarded a payment, giving details on a monthly basis and the average payment issuing. [32941/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In general, all applications for mortgage interest supplement are recorded electronically. However, as this practice can vary across community welfare areas, full statistics for the number of people who applied for mortgage interest supplement are not available. Community welfare officers have been reminded to record the details of receipt and status of all claims electronically. However, requests to change operational procedures must be viewed in the context of the increased demands being placed on community welfare officers in the current economic environment.

The current average weekly mortgage interest supplement is €71.89. I include a tabular statement showing the number of recipients of mortgage interest supplement at the end of each month for 2010. Tabular Statement