Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending participation in community employment schemes to persons under 25 years in view of the rise in long-term unemployment amongst young persons. [44550/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are no plans to extend eligibility to persons under 25 (other than those already covered under the current eligibility criteria). Community Employment (CE) is not generally intended for persons under 25 years of age as there are other more appropriate and suitable interventions for that cohort. Those who do not meet the CE eligibility criteria are advised to contact their local DSP Employment Services Office where an Employment Services Officer will be happy to discuss the employment and training options that are open to them. Within the current very difficult budgetary constraints, the number of places on CE has been maintained in 2012. In delivering these places, the Department will continue to operate flexibly in the management of this allocation in order to maximise progression to the labour market, while at the same time facilitating the support of community services.