Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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549. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider granting an extension to a person (details supplied) participating in a community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13806/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware Section 3.1.1 Eligible Applicants of the CE Procedures Manual provides that "With effect from 3rd April 2000, lifetime participation on Community Employment by an individual will be limited to 3 cumulative years (156 weeks) for persons under 55 years of age."

The participant concerned is under 55 year of age and is therefore only eligible to a maximum total of three years on CE. The participant commenced on CE on 17 March 2014. She completed three years on the CE Scheme on 10 March 2017. Her participation cannot be extended beyond this date as she has exhausted her available time on CE, as permitted under the CE Procedures Manual.

A Case Officer from the Department has written to the participant to invite her to meet with the case officer to discuss future career options.

I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.