Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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738. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) who wishes to continue on the Gateway scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25443/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Gateway is a county and city council work scheme which aims to provide short-term, quality work opportunities to those who are unemployed for more than 24 months. Participants improve their employability and work readiness through work opportunities with structured environments where existing work skills can be put into practice. The 22 month duration of the Gateway contract ensures that Gateway fits in with the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies, including Pathways to Work and it also enables as many people as possible who are long-term unemployed to benefit from the initiative.

In this context, the Gateway contract for the individual concerned cannot be extended beyond 22 months and will cease in November 2016.

With the ongoing welcome reductions in the live register, the operation of Gateway and all of the activation schemes will be continue to be examined to ensure that the number and nature of schemes, as well as the conditions governing participation on these schemes continues to be appropriate.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.