Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the difference between the Tús scheme and community employment schemes with reduced training grants; her views that the differences between the two schemes is sufficient to warrant two separate administration structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9872/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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While both Tús and Community Employment (CE) focus on those who are long-term unemployed, and aim to improve the employability and work readiness of participants by providing them with the opportunities to put skills into practice and learn new ones enabling progression to work, further education or skill development opportunities. The aim of CE is to enhance the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. Placements on Tús are for a 12 month continuous period, while duration on CE varies depending on a person's age and type of scheme (Part-time Integration Option (PTI) or Part-time Job Option (PTO)).

A policy review of the overall range of employment support, activation and work schemes operated by the Department is currently underway. The aim of the review is to assess the schemes, individually and in combination, 'in the light of their contribution to the Department's policy objective of supporting people of working age into employment' and to recommend any changes to the current range of schemes/programmes seen as required on the basis of the analyses carried out'. The review has been underway since mid-2011 and is scheduled for completion by the end of March.