John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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186. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if voluntary organisations that are charities must be registered as a charity for participation on the Tús scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34160/16]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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187. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if organisations taking part on the Tús scheme are inspected regularly; if so, the frequency with which checks take place under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34161/16]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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188. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the safeguards in place to ensure that voluntary organisations participating on Tús are legitimate; the measures in place to ensure transparency within organisations on Tús; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34162/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, together.

The purpose of Tús is to maintain the work readiness of those on the live register by providing quality placement opportunities and other supports to help people back to the labour market and work.

The Tús initiative is delivered through the network of local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta – referred to as Implementing Bodies (IBs). Work placements are identified in the not-for-profit, community and voluntary sectors across the country, through local advertisement and direct contact with eligible organisations by the IBs. Practically all types of work delivered by the community and voluntary sector can be undertaken by Tús participants, once they do not displace existing public or private sector employment. Eligible organisations do not have to be specifically listed on the Register of Charities.

Organisations wishing to offer work placements, or requiring certain work to be undertaken, can contact their local IB. Each IB provides an easy to navigate application process. This involves the work placement provider setting out the work to be undertaken, the skills required and the length of time it is anticipated to execute the works. Additionally, the IB will meet representatives of the applicant organisation and organise an inspection of the works to be undertaken.

While the type of work undertaken is determined locally, it must be consistent with the terms and conditions of the Tús scheme. The Board of each IB must operate selection processes that provide sufficient information to enable a complete assessment of the suitability of placement providers.

The Department takes very seriously any allegations of failure to comply with the conditions of Tús and investigates all such complaints of which it is notified. The Department’s own control measures with respect to Tús are based on a combination of random monitoring visits/inspections of IBs and placement providers and the investigation of any complaints received.

If the Deputy has a specific case he is concerned about, my Department will be happy to investigate it once details are provided.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.