Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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314. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the community employment scheme will be extended for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47888/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department provides financial support in the form of allowances and funding to assist with the Community Employment programme, for example participant wages, supervisor grants, materials grants and specific skills training grants.

Funding is not provided for CE participants who have reached the qualifying age for a State pension, that is:

66 for participants born before 1 January 1955

67 for participants born on or after 1 January 1955

68 for participants born on or after 1 January 1961

As the individual was born prior to 1 January 1955 and reached the age of 66 on 6 November 2019 my Department is no longer in a position to fund his position after that date.

He may qualify for the State Pension (Contributory) if he has accrued sufficient PRSI contributions. The State Pension (Contributory) is not means tested. This pension has a maximum personal rate payable of €12,956 per annum.