Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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674. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason the Tús scheme is limited to one year placements; if there is any grounds for an extension whereby both the scheme and participant are seeking an extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1942/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Tús was set up to provide 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 opportunities of returning to the labour market. In addition, as a community work placement scheme, Tús provides valuable services to local communities.

There are no circumstances under which a person’s term on Tús can be extended beyond one year. The twelve month duration of a Tús work placement was set to reflect a number of inter-related requirements. These include the need to ensure that the places on the scheme are open to the maximum number of people on the live register. It also ensures that weaknesses identified in other work programmes resulting from longer duration placements are not replicated. Furthermore, the twelve month term ensures that the scheme fits with the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies, including Pathways to Work.

The existing placement period on Tús also ensures that as many unemployed people as possible are able to benefit from the scheme and it is considered to be optimal in meeting the scheme’s objectives.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.