Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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240. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the circumstances which will allow a person rejoin a community employment scheme when the person's permitted time as an employee of the scheme expires. [12005/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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With effect from 3^rdApril 2000, lifetime cumulative participation on Community Employment (CE) by an individual is as follows:

- 3 years (156 weeks) maximum for persons under 55 years of age.

- 6 years (312 weeks) for persons of 55 years of age up to State Pension age.

- For people in receipt of a qualifying disability-linked social welfare payment, for those under 55 years of age (Part-Time Job Option only), 4 years cumulative time on CE applies and 7 years cumulative time for those between 55 and State Pension age (Part-Time Job Option only).

- For referred clients to drug rehabilitation schemes, the standard eligibility requirements are waived and the maximum participation can be up to 4 years.

Participation on CE prior to 3^rdApril 2000 is not counted.

Once a person has exhausted their maximum duration of participation as detailed above, they must leave the scheme and can no longer participate.

All CE employment contracts are for one year's duration. Under the Part-Time Integration (PTI) Option of CE, being in receipt of qualifying social welfare payments for 12 continuous months qualifies the person as eligible for one year on CE, after which they must exit the programme and requalify in the same manner for further time on CE. Up to 10% of PTI participants can be extended by one further year where their progression needs justify the continued placement.

Under the Part-Time Job (PTJ) Option of CE, being in receipt of qualifying social welfare payments for 3 continuous years qualifies the person as eligible for up to three consecutive years on CE, subject to annually renewable contracts and engagement levels with the programme. All CE participation is subject to the maximum cumulative durations as detailed above, as well as the availability of places.