John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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180. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when he expects the review into the Tús scheme to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38097/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Tús is an employment programme that aims to help people who are long-term unemployed to re-enter the workforce. The programme helps to break the cycle of unemployment by providing a return to a regular work routine, thereby improving a person’s chances of returning to the open labour market. My Department is very conscious of the valuable contribution this scheme makes, both in improving the employment prospects of participants and in providing services to individuals and communities across Ireland.

With the ongoing welcome reductions in the Live Register in recent months, a number of issues around the Department’s employment schemes, including Tús, are being considered. These include the level of expenditure, the number of places and the criteria for participation.

I hope to be in a position to bring a Memorandum to Government on these matters in the coming weeks. If there are any changes to be made to employment schemes, including Tús, consultations with stakeholders will be facilitated.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.