Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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245. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to amend the existing rigid rules governing time allowed on social employment schemes, that is, three years and six years as a maximum, that these rules be removed for those 55 years of age and over and that older workers would be retained subject to annual assessment up to pension age; if she will examine a submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31629/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons (including lone parents, recovering drug misusers and persons with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in part-time work and training within their communities on a temporary, fixed-term basis.

With respect to the participants exhausting their time on the programme, all community Employment (CE) sponsors and participants are aware of the time limits for participation, which are extensive for certain individuals particularly those over 55 years, who can have up to 6 years on CE. The participation limits allow for the utilisation of places amongst qualifying persons, to ensure the benefit of the CE to the widest possible number of jobseekers.