Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if, in view of the recently announced reduction in jobseeker's benefit to nine months, if she will consider a corresponding reduction in the eligibility period for entry to community employment scheme from 12 months to 9 months to allow all those on the live register equal access to such important scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55909/12]

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 (including those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. CE helps long-term 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.

My Department is currently reviewing the impact of this change on the eligibility of those on Jobs Benefit (JB) to access Community Employment. However, in the meantime, it should be noted that persons with 9 months Jobseeker's Benefit and 3 months on another qualifying payment (i.e. JA, OPFA, etc.) are still eligible to participate on Community Employment.

In addition to Community Employment, there are a number of training and work experience opportunities available to clients in receipt of JB. JB clients should contact their local DSP Employment Service / Intreo office or the DSP website for further details.