Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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559. To ask the Minister for Social Protection regarding the jobs plus scheme that was put into effect on 1 July 2013, if a woman who is receiving a one-parent family payment is offered a job under the jobs plus scheme, the reasons she would be denied eligibility for the jobs plus scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37009/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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567. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the disadvantage short-term job seekers are being placed under due to the jobs plus scheme incentive for employers being targeted at long-term unemployed only; her plans to facilitate and or accommodate persons who are at such a disadvantage and who are ready and willing to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37095/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 567 together.

Pathways to Work', sets out the Government's policy on labour market activation to address the employment crisis and to get Ireland working again. In line with the Pathways to Work commitments, those long-term on the live register are the focus of interventions across Government Departments and agencies. With JobsPlus, it is intended to replace two previous schemes with a more focused and attractive incentive to employers to employ the longer term unemployed. Therefore, JobsPlus isexclusively targeted at the long-term unemployed. JobsPlus is operating on a pilot basis initially and consideration to broadening eligibility will not arise until the impact of the initiative has been examined. Further information regarding the scheme can be found at