Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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349. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will give further consideration to an extension of the one-year duration of Tús work programmes given the experience of both participants and co-ordinators, who believe a longer period would be of benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23896/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Tús provides 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 chances of returning to the labour market. Currently, there are no circumstances under which a person’s term on Tús can be extended.

The Tús budget for 2016 allows for 8,000 participants. Extending the period of participation beyond one year for current participants would reduce the overall number of placements available to other people who are long-term unemployed. The existing 12-month placement period for participants on Tús is adequate to meet the objectives of the initiative whilst also ensuring that as many unemployed people as possible are able to benefit from it.

Tús was introduced as a direct response to the growth in the level of unemployment during the financial crisis. With the ongoing welcome reductions in the live register, a review of work schemes, including Tús, is necessary. This will ensure that the number and nature of schemes, as well as the conditions governing participation on these schemes, continues to be appropriate. I will be considering all of these issues over the coming months.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.