Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

446. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider widening eligibility to the community employment schemes for young persons under 25 years of age who are on a social welfare payment for 12 months or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33517/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following the publication of my Department’s Report - An Analysis of the Community Employment Programme – earlier in the year, the Government approved a number of changes to the terms and conditions around participation on Community Employment (CE). The main purpose of these changes is to broaden the availability of CE to a greater number of people on the live register and to standardise other conditions around the length of time a person can participate on the programme. The changes will see the general qualifying age for CE for those in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for 12 months or more, reduced from 25 to 21 years. It will also be easier for previous participants who have exhausted their CE entitlement to requalify, as participation prior to the year 2007 will be disregarded. Those aged between 21 and 55 years are entitled to one year on the programme, however, this can be extended by up to 2 more years if they are engaged in a recognised training or education award that is helping them progress towards employment. There will be an overall lifetime limit of 6 years from 2007 (or 7 years if on a disability payment).

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.