Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider providing those with a disability that restricts their travel and accommodation options, with an extended or open ended community employment scheme in their own local rural community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20584/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.

The maximum participation limits for CE are 3 years in total for those under 55 years of age, and 6 years in total for those of 55 to 65 years of age. Off-shore islander clients are exempt from CE participation caps.

Persons in receipt of one of the four qualifying disability related social welfare payments are eligible for one additional year on top of these two limits, i.e., 4 years for those under 55 and 7 years for those of 55 to 65. This additional year for such persons is in recognition of the extra demands and effort required to participate in the programme.

The length of time a person can remain on CE is dictated by a number of factors (as governed by the eligibility rules of CE):

· Age of the person

· Department of Social Protection (DSP ) payment and duration

· Previous participation on CE since April 2000

· Whether they are considered job-ready

· Budgetary limitations

The overall duration limits are strictly enforced to maximize the number of places available for potential clients. There are no plans to extend the time limits on CE.

The aim of CE still remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. There is a wide range of client groups which need access to CE – lone parents, persons with disabilities, stabilised substance abusers and unemployed persons. The Department is at all times obliged to accommodate the needs of all these groups in terms of participation on Community Employment. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community.