Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person who is currently on a community employment scheme cannot apply for the position of supervisor with Tús; and if this initiative should be made available to all unemployed persons. [14647/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The purpose of Tús is to focus on those people who are long-term unemployed. For this reason, eligibility is at present confined to those on the Live Register for 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance. These provisions are to ensure a targeted approach to those currently affected by long-term unemployment. Persons already in employment are not eligible for these positions.

This initiative is delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta in Gaeltacht areas. Participants will, in the first instance, be identified by the Department of Social Protection by applying the following conditions:

A person must be unemployed and in receipt of a jobseeker's payment for at least 12 months, and

Currently be in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, and

Be fully unemployed.

The operation of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, will be kept under review and will inform the evaluation process in due course.