Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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2041. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 31 May 2017, the details of the exceptional cases referred to by which a person could move from JobPath to a community employment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27955/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Further to parliamentary question number 35 of 31 May 2017, I wish to reiterate the aim of the JobPath service, which is provided for jobseekers only, is to assist them in finding sustainable full time paid employment whereas the Community Employment schemes provide part-time work experience and training opportunities in local communities as a stepping stone back to employment for people on a range of Social Welfare payments including those on long-term unemployment payments.

Customers who are already participating with the JobPath service will not be referred to Community Employment Schemes as they can only participate with one activation scheme or service at a time.

However, customers who on the date of their referral to JobPath have a written offer with a start date within four weeks for CE, TÚS or Gateway will be facilitated to take up the placement. Additionally, customers who have been referred to a CE Scheme specifically for rehabilitation purposes and have a letter of recommendation from either a HSE relevant addiction service or other relevant statutory, community based or voluntary drugs support service within the last year may commence on that CE Scheme irrespective of their referral date to JobPath.

Finally, in a small number of exceptional cases, which are assessed on a case by case basis, taking into account the unique circumstances exceptional to the above which an individual customer may present with, my Department may facilitate a customer to commence on a CE scheme irrespective of their referral date, upon the recommendation of a senior official in the customer’s Intreo Office.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.