Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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187. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if JobPath participants may undertake and participate in voluntary unpaid community based work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17320/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Legislation provides that a person must satisfy the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work in order to be entitled to a jobseeker’s payment.

However, I am deeply conscious of the long tradition of volunteering in this country and the contribution that volunteering makes to Ireland’s social fabric. In recognition of the vital role played by the voluntary community, my Department operates a Voluntary Work Option for customers on the Jobseeker schemes.

Customers engaged with the JobPath Service may avail of the voluntary work option provided they continue to satisfy the statutory conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking work. Customers must remain engaged with the JobPath Service while participating in voluntary work where they will continue to receive intensive individual support to help them to overcome barriers to employment and to assist them in finding full-time sustainable jobs. The JobPath Providers will facilitate their appointments as appropriate. While voluntary work may provide long-term unemployed people with part-time experience, it is not sustainable employment.

Voluntary work normally involves only a few hours a day or a few days a week and examples in which jobseekers may engage include:

-helping the sick, elderly or persons with a disability

-assisting youth clubs, church groups, sports groups, cultural organisations, local resident associations

- All decisions determining whether the customer may take up the voluntary work will be taken by an official of my Department.

I hope that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.