Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to parliamentary Question No. 171 of 7 October 2010, the proposals that have been devised in relation to the development of new initiatives based on the rural social scheme and the community services programme [3685/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility criteria for persons to participate in the new Tús scheme; the way it will operate; the date on which it will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3780/11]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 360 together.

The Minister for Finance announced a community work placement initiative for up to 5,000 persons in his Budget statements to the Dáil on the 7th December 2010. This initiative, to be known as Tús, was launched by me on the 21st December 2010. The aims of Tús are to provide short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. Tús will be delivered at local level by each of the Local Development Companies and by Údarás na Gaeltachta and is built on the proven architecture of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS).

My Department is consulting with the Local Development Companies at present on the arrangements for the roll-out of Tús nationally. In the first instance, suitable work placements will need to be identified by the Local Development Companies within community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations operating in their area of operations. Promotion of Tús to local organisations is already being undertaken.

My Department is currently preparing support material for Tús in co-operation with Local Development Companies through their national network. This support material will include a short guide to Tús focused on community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations and other support material for use by the companies in identifying suitable placements, identification of the skill level of participants referred by the Department and terms and conditions of engagement in the placement.

Work has already begun on the roll-out of Tús across the country with the first placements expected towards the end of February when recruitment and other procedures have been completed.

Participants who meet the qualifying conditions of being continuously unemployed for at least twelve months and in receipt of a jobseeker's allowance will be identified by the Department of Social Protection and invited to participate. Those interested in participating on Tús will be referred to a panel maintained by the relevant Local Development Company for placement in a suitable position.