Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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107. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will amend the rules governing the Tús scheme to remove the element of compulsion in view of the inappropriateness of having a reluctant participant work with vulnerable persons including older persons and persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41665/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Tús, the community work placement initiative introduced during 2011, was established to provide short-term, quality work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. As of 24^thOctober, nearly 6.700 jobseekers are engaged on Tús. Since its commencement, over 22,000 have participated on this initiative.

A key feature of Tús is that selection is undertaken by random processes conducted at local level by the Department. The selection is focused on those on the Live Register for a year or more and in receipt of a jobseekers’ payment who have more limited job or work placement opportunities. There are no plans to alter the selection policy for Tús.

In all cases, the implementing bodies engaged by the Department to work with community organisations at local level have regard to the participant’s suitability to work in the delivery of local services, including those involving vulnerable adults or children.

A jobseeker who does not wish to participate on Tús or who does not consider the placement offered to be appropriate to his/her circumstances can discuss other activation options with one of the Department’s case officer. Tús is one of a number of interventions the Department funds and manages to ensure that the priorities set by Government in Pathways to Work are achieved.