James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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214. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will investigate the difficulty had by a person (details supplied) on the Tús programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18605/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The activation supports and services which are available to those who are long-term unemployed include the JobPath employment activation service and work experience and training schemes such as Community Employment, CE, and Tús.

The aim of the JobPath service is to assist participants in finding sustainable full-time paid employment. It is distinct from the Tús scheme which provides part-time employment and training opportunities in local communities for people in receipt of long-term unemployment payments as a stepping stone back to employment. Tús does not, nor is it intended to, provide full-time sustainable employment.

Jobseekers can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time; this is to allow the scheme and service providers time to work with the participants and also to ensure that the best use is made of the available places.

Placement on Tús is only permitted if the offer has been made prior to the JobPath referral date and there is an agreed start date within four weeks of the JobPath referral date. The person concerned was randomly selected for the JobPath initiative on 27 February 2017, at that time they did not have a signed agreement to commence Tús therefore they remained eligible to commence on Jobpath and will be required to remain on Jobpath.

The person concerned will continue to receive intensive individual support and assistance from their personal advisor to look for employment. At the end of 52 weeks, if they have not been successful in finding suitable employment they may, subject to an assessment by an Intreo case officer, apply for other activation supports such as Tús.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.