Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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60. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of proposals for the amalgamation of the rural social, community employment and Gateway schemes into one joint scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46580/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Department of Social Protection operates a number of programmes and initiatives including Community Employment, Tús – the community work placement initiative, Gateway and the Rural Social Scheme. Various community services and activities are directly and indirectly supported by participants through these programmes and initiatives.

Tús and Gateway were introduced and numbers on other schemes expanded as a direct response to the growth in the level of unemployment during the financial crisis. As the economy continues to recover and the overall level of unemployment falls, the Department recognises the need to adapt these schemes to the changing circumstances, opportunities and needs of jobseekers and others. The Department has no plans at present for a single scheme, but it will be keeping under review the changing circumstances and underlying rationale and resource commitments for the number of interventions currently being delivered.

The Department will continue to work with stakeholders in planning the longer term needs of jobseekers and other customers. It remains committed to ensuring that the social inclusion and community benefits that accrue from these schemes continue to be recognised and supported.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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61. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection on behalf of community employment scheme supervisors (details supplied) the status of the removal of TÚS, the workplace initiative, rural social schemes, community employment schemes and Gateway schemes and their replacement by one scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46581/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Department of Social Protection operates a number of programmes and initiatives including Community Employment, Tús – the community work placement initiative, Gateway and the Rural Social Scheme. These schemes are delivered locally by local authorities, local sponsoring groups, local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta (in Gaeltacht areas). Various community services and activities are directly and indirectly supported by participants through these programmes and initiatives.

Tús and Gateway were introduced and numbers on other schemes expanded as a direct response to the growth in the level of unemployment during the financial crisis. As the economy continues to recover and the overall level of unemployment falls, the Department recognises the need to adapt these schemes to the changing circumstances, opportunities and needs of jobseekers and others. The Department has no plans at present for a single scheme, but it will be keeping under review the changing circumstances and underlying rationale and resource commitments for the number of interventions currently being delivered.

The Department will continue to work with stakeholders in planning the longer term needs of jobseekers and other customers. It remains committed to ensuring that the social inclusion and community benefits that accrue from these schemes continue to be recognised and supported.