Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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550. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the current and future status of the Tús initiative which is managed by local development companies and Údarás na Gaeltachta; and if he has committed to additional funding for the initiative going forward. [41223/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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A provisional budget of almost €125 million has been allocated for the scheme for 2017. My Department remains committed to ensuring that the social inclusion and community benefits that accrue from this scheme continue to be recognised and supported.

With the ongoing welcome reduction in the Live Register, issues such the appropriate level of expenditure, the number of places and the criteria for participation on employment schemes, including Tús are all being considered. I hope to be in position to bring a memo to Government on these matters in the coming weeks. If there are any changes to be made to the employment schemes, consultations with stakeholders will be facilitated.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.