Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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95. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the options for lone parents if they have more than one child and want to avail of a community employment scheme. [2930/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A lone parent 25 years of age or over, currently in receipt of the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP), for a period of 12 months or more can participate on CE, on the Part-time Integration Option (PTI). Where a lone parent is aged 35 and under 55 and unemployed for 3 years or more, and may require more long-term support their annual contract may be renewed for up to 3 years (Part-time Job Option (PTJ)). The number of children a lone parent has does not affect their eligibility for CE. The eligibility criteria for CE are detailed in the CE Procedures Manual.

The Department’s priority in supporting CE is having access to schemes that can provide job seekers and other vulnerable groups with good quality work experience and training qualifications to support their progression into employment. To support participation on a Community Employment (CE) Scheme, an applicant who needs childcare can apply to take up a childcare place on the CE Childcare (CEC) Programme. Lone parents currently on CE and those in receipt of the OFP, prior to commencement on CE, are particularly welcome to take up a CEC place. A lone parent can call into their local Intreo/Employment Services Office to discuss the programme options available.