Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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432. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on a case (details supplied); and if he will allow the person an extra year up to retirement age. [10738/16]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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520. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his views on a case (details supplied); and to allow the person an extra year which will bring the person up to retirement age. [10096/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 520 together.

The person commenced on Community Employment (CE) on 15 June 2009 having qualified to participate through receipt of a Disability Allowance for a number of years, immediately prior to commencing on CE. The person concerned was eligible to participate under the part time job (PTJ) option within CE, which allows persons over 55 years of age to participate on CE for a lifetime maximum of 6 years.

In addition to these 6 years, the CE Procedures Manual also provides that "Eligible persons in receipt of a qualifying disability-linked Social Welfare payment will be eligible for one additional year on CE over the standard maximum participation caps, i.e. 7 years maximum time for those between 55 years of age and State Pension age (PTJ Option only)."

As the person concerned was in receipt of a Disability Allowance prior to commencing on CE they are eligible to participate on CE for a lifetime maximum of 7 years and will have completed 7 years on Community Employment on 03 June 2016. Therefore they are not eligible to participate on CE beyond that date.

While the Service Support Stream was introduced to CE, on a pilot basis, for persons over 62 years of age, the person concerned will not reach 62 years of age until 01 May 2017. Therefore, they will not be eligible to avail of a Service Support Stream employment post on any CE Scheme, until June 2017 at the earliest, as they will be required to be in receipt of a qualifying DSP Payment for a minimum period of 12 months before they can be again eligible to apply for such a job.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.