Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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46. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will introduce a new programme for those over sixty years of age who are finishing their tenure on a community employment scheme, which will take their prospects of employment into consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14034/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The aim of CE is to enhance the employability and mobility of disadvantaged and unemployed persons by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. 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. The proportion of participants over 60 years of age is 11% (March 2015). In this context there are currently no plans to introduce a new programme for those over 60 years of age who have completed CE.

As participation on CE ranges from 1 year up to 6 years for participants depending on their eligibility and 7 years for people with a disability, the duration of CE is considered extensive for an active labour market programme.