Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection why an application for renewal and extension of a community employment scheme at a place of work was rejected for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; if she will review the application and appeal, with a view to re-instating it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42593/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Under Community Employment (CE) regulations, the term of participation for persons commencing a CE scheme when less than 55 years of age is one year. However, this can be increased with annual extensions to a maximum of three cumulative years. The person concerned commenced participation on a CE scheme on 12 November 2012 when aged 54. His total eligibility was therefore limited to these three cumulative years, and he completed, via extensions, this maximum permitted term on 20 November 2015 at which point he was no longer eligible to participate on CE. Unfortunately under the regulations a further extension cannot be granted.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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151. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views on widening the eligibility for community employment schemes in areas where places are unfilled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42594/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Department keeps the eligibility criteria for Community Employment (CE) places under review to ensure that these are effective in targeting long-term unemployed jobseekers.

The number of unemployed persons (seasonally adjusted) has dropped from 267,000 (12.4%) in October 2013 to 192,400 (8.9%) in October 2015 (CSO). With the numbers of unemployed falling, demand for CE places may vary.

In terms of duration of participants on CE, the programme provides extended durations for certain cohorts, up to three years for persons between 35 and under 55 years of age and six years for persons of 55 years of age depending on duration of unemployment on entering CE. Persons with a disability-linked social welfare payment can qualify for an additional year on the above. These durations of participation support schemes as well as providing valuable work placements and training to participants. There are no plans to widen the eligibility further for CE.