Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 89: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if any community employment scheme participants in receipt of either disability or one parent payments have requested and been refused an extension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40075/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The length of time a person can remain on Community Employment (CE) is dictated by a number of factors, in line with the guidelines for CE: What age the person is; How long they have been in receipt of a qualifying Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment; Previous participation on CE since 3rd April 2000; Whether they are considered job-ready at the end of each year's CE participation; Budgetary limitations /place availability limitations. The maximum participation limits for CE are three years for those under 55 years of age, and six years for those of 55 to 65 years of age.

Persons in receipt of a qualifying disability-related DSP payment are eligible for one additional year on top of these two limits, i.e., four years for those under 55 and seven years for those of 55 to 65.

Persons in receipt of a qualifying DSP payment for 12 months (on entry to CE) may participate on CE for one year before having to leave CE and re-qualify, subject to the age-related maximum participation caps above. In exceptional circumstances, a percentage of participants may be retained for an additional subsequent year, subject to budget limits and personal training needs.

Persons in receipt of a qualifying DSP payment for three years or more (on entry to CE) may be eligible for up to three years on CE, subject to annual renewal, based on job-readiness assessment and personal training requirements. There is no entitlement to remain for the 3 years if the person is considered job-ready when assessed by the CE supervisor at the end of each annual contract. At the end of the 3 years, if fully utilised, the person will have to leave CE.

FÁS has indicated that certain CE participants receiving Illness Benefit (previously known as Disability Benefit) and One Parent Family payment have requested and been refused an extension. However, FÁS does not gather statistics on the numbers of CE participants refused extensions, regardless of eligibility category or reason for refusal. The receipt of Illness Benefit or One Parent Family Payment has no bearing on the granting or otherwise of a further year on CE.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 91: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills in view of the motion proposed by this Deputy and agreed by the Joint Committee on Social Protection which calls on her not to withdraw or reduce the disability or one parent payments benefits of community employment scheme participants, if she will now allay the fears of those who would be affected and make the requested commitment [40074/10]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the discussions she has had in relation to possible changes that would affect community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39297/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 122 together. There are no proposals currently under consideration in regard to making changes to the national operation of the Community Employment Scheme. Within the current very difficult budgetary constraints, the number of places on CE have been increased to 23,300 in 2010. In delivering these places, FAS will continue to operate flexibly in the management of this allocation in order to maximise progression to the labour market, while at the same time facilitating the support of community services.

Issues concerning the withdrawal or reduction of welfare payments are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.