Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there are any exemption in relation to the qualifying criteria for TUS schemes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25935/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The purpose of Tús is to focus on those people who are long-term unemployed and who may not have engaged in activation activity for some time. For this reason, eligibility for both participatory and supervisory positions on Tús is confined to those on the Live Register for at least 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker's allowance. These provisions are to ensure a targeted approach to those currently on the Live Register by breaking the cycle of unemployment and allowing the person improve their work readiness for return to the labour market.

While I appreciate that this can result in consequences for persons actively seeking work, I must balance this against the opportunities that are reserved for those who are in danger of becoming distant from the labour market. There are no exemptions and I have no plans to alter the eligibility criteria for Tús.