Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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400. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is concerned for the unemployed spouses of working persons who do not qualify for community employment scheme eligibility; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that such persons cannot access the large number of positions arising in various sectors that are exclusively for community employment scheme applicants only; if she is concerned that specialised workers who do not qualify for community employment have very little employment opportunity as a result; if she will examine the issue with a view to finding a solution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3940/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The aim of Community Employment (CE) remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression of persons on the Live Register as a priority into employment and/or further education and training. The core eligibility criterion for CE is that the person is in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for 1 year. At present, persons signing for credits who are ineligible for a social welfare payment such as spouses of working people do not meet the current eligibility requirements for participation on the CE Scheme. They may, however, be eligible for participation on other programmes provided by SOLAS/Education and Training Boards.

People in these circumstances are advised to contact their local DSP Intreo/Employment Services Office where an Employment Services Officer will discuss the employment and training options that are open to them.

Within the current budgetary constraints, the number of places available on CE has increased by an additional 2,000 places to 25,300 in 2013. In delivering these places, the Department will continue to manage this allocation in order to maximise progression to the labour market, while at the same time facilitating the support of community services.