Written answers

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Community Employment Schemes Eligibility

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1581. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54544/17]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, one of the eligibility requirements to participate on Community Employment (CE) is that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment from my Department for a minimum period of 12 months. People who do not qualify for a social welfare payment but are signing for credited PRSI contributions (credits), do not meet the current eligibility requirements for participation on CE. However, such people may be eligible for other programmes or support to help them return to work, for example VTOS courses provided by ETBs, Skillnet courses funded through the Department of Education and Skills or Momentum courses provided by SOLAS. It is also possible to participate in voluntary work, once this has been agreed with your local Department Intreo office.

My Department also provides other services to people who are not in receipt of a social welfare payment such as advice on job-search activities and the use of online job search tools. These services are available to people who are registered with my Department’s Intreo offices. Any person in need of help or support is advised to contact their local Intreo Centre where a case officer will be available to discuss the employment and training options that are open to them.

The Government is committed to supporting as many people as possible to participate more fully in employment and to become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers they may encounter in finding and sustaining employment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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