Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the procedures in place for parents of school going children who are offered a place on the TÚS scheme, but, cannot take up the offer of a place due to the fact that they cannot afford or source within their own family adequate childcare cover; if this will impact their entitlement to a Department of Social Protection payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41860/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Tús is a community work placement initiative which aims to provide work opportunities to persons who have been unemployed and in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment for at least 12 months and are currently in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance.

To qualify for a jobseeker’s payment, a person must satisfy certain conditions which includes being available for full-time work. Individual circumstances, including childcare arrangements, may affect a customer’s ability to satisfy these conditions and could have an impact on the customer’s continued entitlement to payment, if they affect availability for work or result in a refusal of a suitable offer of training.

Implementing Bodies will make every effort to ensure that the work placement arranged for a Tús participant is suitable and, insofar as it is possible meets the needs of the individual, giving them the opportunity to work the required hours (19½ hours per week) around their childcare needs.

It should also be noted that Tús participants continue to be eligible for the Community Childcare Subvention Programme, which is available from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.