Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland)
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172. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans to change the criteria for Community Employment Schemes (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36335/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The eligibility requirements for Community Employment (CE) are published on the Department’s website, . The requirement to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for 12 months or more has been a central criterion of CE since the programme’s commencement in April 1994. Community Employment is a programme which helps long-term unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to work routine. Long-term unemployment is defined as a minimum of 12 months on the Live Register. Therefore, the person in question is not currently eligible for CE. It is recommended that the person contact their local Intreo Office for information on what other options are available to them.

There are no plans to reduce this time criterion.