Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding eligibility for Tús employment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [19905/11]

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 or engaged in community employment are not eligible for these positions. Eligible persons will 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.

This person (details supplied) does not meet the eligibility criteria at present. The operation of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, will be kept under review and will inform the evaluation process in due course.