Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the Tús community work placement initiative from 12 months duration to 24 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38945/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As part of budget 2012, I extended the number of opportunities available on Tús by another 2,500, bringing the total number of places available to 7,500. This initiative is being delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta. To date, Tús has provided nearly 12,800 people with work opportunities. As of 13th September 2013, 6,487 participants and 341 supervisory staff were on the payroll. Tús will continue to expand as work opportunities become available over the coming months.

Tús is designed to break the cycle of unemployment and to improve a person's opportunities in returning to the labour market. I consider the existing 12-month period on Tús to be adequate to meet the objectives of the initiative whilst also ensuring that as many unemployed people as possible are able to benefit from the initiative. There are no circumstances under which a person's term on Tús will be extended beyond 12 months. The Deputy should note that a Tús participant can access community employment and a range of other supports where it is determined that they would benefit from such additional activation supports.