Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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345. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider amending the terms and conditions of the Tús scheme to allow for the extension of contracts beyond the 12 month limit; if she has received representations from Oireachtas Members and community groups on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49272/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Tús, the community work placement initiative introduced during 2011, was set up to provide short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. This initiative is being delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tús is designed to break the cycle of unemployment, and maintain work readiness thereby improving a person’s opportunities in returning to the labour market.

I have received representations from community groups and Oireachtas members on the length of contracts for participants as well as replying to a number of Parliamentary Questions on this matter. The duration of the Tús contract was set to reflect a number of inter-related elements. These include the need to ensure that limited numbers of placement available are opened to those on the live register, that weaknesses identified in other work programmes resulting from longer duration placements are not replicated in Tús, optimisation of the resources available, and how Tús fits with the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies in Pathways to Work. I consider the existing 12-month period on Tús to be adequate to meet the programme’s objectives. It also ensures 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. Opportunities are available on community employment where a person is interested in pursuing a work placement that may have a longer duration in order to completed certified training. Time spend on Tús is considered eligible for accessing community employment. As of the week ending 8th November 2013, 6,961 participants were working and in receipt of a payment on Tús. An additional 359 full-time supervisory/team leader personnel had been engaged by the implementing bodies for Tús. Since its inception in July 2011, some 14,200 participants have completed 12 months on Tús.