Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) who is unemployed, has signed for credits for over 12 months cannot avail of any schemes. [13799/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The purpose of Tús is to focus on those people who are long-term unemployed. For this reason, eligibility is at present confined to those on the Live Register for 12 months and in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance. These provisions are to ensure a targeted approach to those currently affected by long-term unemployment.

Eligible persons are being identified by the Department by applying the following conditions:

- A person must be unemployed and in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment for at least 12 months,

- Currently be in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance, and

- Be fully unemployed.

The criteria for participating on the community employment (CE) programme are similarly based on age and length of time in receipt of specified social welfare payments.

Persons signing for credits are not eligible for participation on Tús or CE. They do, however, have access to the National Internship Scheme, subject to meeting the criteria for that scheme.