Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is scope to extend community employment schemes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter.. [29581/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As Minister for Social Protection I do not have a role in the administration of individual cases in regard to the operation of the community employment (CE) programme. The administration of individual cases under CE is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as part of its responsibility under the Labour Services Act, 1987, as amended by Part 3 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010.

In general, the maximum participation limits for community employment is one year with the opportunity to extend for a further year if this is considered the most suitable and cost effective measure to assist the client in gaining employment. A person may be eligible for different periods of engagement and extensions on CE due to their age or if they are in receipt of a qualifying disability-related payment from my Department or have previously been engaged on a scheme. Extensions of a CE placement have to be requested a minimum of eight weeks before the proposed finish date by the CE Project Supervisor. Once an extension application is received by the local FÁS office, a determination is made as to whether the placement is the most suitable and cost effective measure to assist the client in gaining employment. Clients who are deemed job-ready by the Supervisor are not extended in order to free up the place for another client. If no request for an extension is requested then the person must leave the scheme and re-qualify under the published eligibility rules for any further participation on the CE scheme.

The overall limits on duration spent on CE are strictly enforced to maximise the number of places available for potential clients and to ensure progression. A person may check their eligibility for extensions of the time spent on community employment by contacting their local FÁS office.