Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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385. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason there are now three schemes for the long-term unemployed (details supplied). [18099/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of activation supports for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market. These supports include JobPath and employment programmes such as Community Employment (CE) schemes and Tús.

The JobPath service is provided for jobseekers only. JobPath aims to place people into full-time sustainable employment. The period of engagement with JobPath for any individual is typically 52 weeks. During that time they receive intensive individual support to help them to overcome barriers to employment and are also provided with a range of training and development supports including online modules, career advice, CV preparation and interview skills.

Employment programmes such as CE and Tús provide part-time temporary work in the communities, as a stepping stone back to employment, for people who are long term unemployed. However, CE and Tús placements are not full time sustainable jobs.

A person who is referred to JobPath, who has a start date for commencement on Tús or CE within four weeks, is not required to take up the place on JobPath. In addition people who have completed their year long engagement with JobPath may, if eligible, apply to partake in a CE Scheme after they have been assessed by a departmental case officer.

Any CE or Tús scheme experiencing issues with recruitment can contact their local Intreo office for additional assistance.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.