Written answers

Thursday, 30 June 2016

Department of Social Protection

Work Placement Programmes

Photo of Frank O'RourkeFrank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to consider the possibility of introducing more flexibility to the Tús work placement initiative scheme, including considering extending the period of time a person can avail of the scheme on case-by-case basis, with particular consideration given to a person's age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18689/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Tús was set up to provide short-term, work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. It is designed to break the cycle of unemployment and maintain work readiness, thereby improving a person’s opportunities of returning to the labour market. In addition, as a community work placement scheme, Tús provides valuable services to local communities.

The twelve month duration of a Tús work placement was set to reflect a number of inter-related requirements. These include the need to ensure that the limited numbers of placements available are open to the maximum number of people on the live register, that weaknesses identified in other work programmes resulting from longer duration placements are not replicated and the need to ensure that the scheme fits with the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies including Pathways to Work. The existing placement period on Tús ensures that as many unemployed people as possible are able to benefit from the scheme and it is considered to be optimal in meeting the scheme’s objectives.

With the welcome reductions in the live register, the eligibility criteria for work programmes, including Tús will continue to be monitered.

I want to thank the Deputy for offering his views on this issue yesterday evening at our meeting. As stated at that meeting all of the issues raised will be kept under review to ensure that the schemes remains fit for purpose and that the eligibility conditions continue to be appropriate.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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