Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans for the improvement of the qualifying criteria for Tús to include recently unemployed persons who would not normally qualify; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18771/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Matters relating to Tús are proper to the Department of Social Protection. 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 or engaged in community employment are not eligible for these positions. 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.