Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the following information on the Tús scheme: the number of positions available; the number that have been taken up as at 13 January 2012; the method used to fill the positions; the type of work being carried out by the participants; the budget provision for the scheme; the effect budget 2012 has made to the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4197/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Tús, the community work placement initiative introduced during 2011, will provide short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year when fully operational. As of 20 January 2012, 2,395 persons are engaged with 5,000 to be employed when Tús is fully operational later this Spring. Tús is focused on those people who are on the live register for 12 months or more and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance. Participants are 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.

Following selection, participants are referred to one of the 52 Local Development Companies or Údarás na Gaeltachta where their skills and interests are profiled and matched to available positions offered by the community, voluntary and not-for-profit sector locally. In general, all works and services undertaken or delivered by the community and voluntary sectors for the benefit of the general community or specific sectors can be considered eligible. The funds allocated for 2012 amount to €84m.