Written answers

Thursday, 19 June 2025

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Employment Support Services

All Written Answers on 19 Jun 2025 « Previous answer Next answer »

Photo of Paula ButterlyPaula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

128. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to provide increased flexibility to local CE, TÚS and rural social schemes to retain participants for longer, as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32744/25]

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department of Social Protection operates a number of employment support schemes for long term unemployed persons which also assist communities across the country in the provision of vital services. Community Employment (CE) and Tús are employment activation measures designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis. The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an income support initiative that provides part-time employment opportunities in community and voluntary organisations for farmers or fishermen who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are underemployed in their primary occupation.Given the strong labour market performance, the reduction in the number of unemployed people on the Live Register has impacted on the availability of potential candidates to participate on these schemes. A number of changes have been introduced in recent times to support CE sponsors in their recruitment and retention of participants, including:

  • A provision to allow CE participants who reach 60 years of age to remain in CE until they reach state pension age (66).
  • Some flexibility granted to CE sponsors to retain existing participants for extended periods in cases where a replacement can’t be recruited immediately.
  • Changes to eligibility criteria extending CE eligibility to the adult dependents of those in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance.
  • A new pilot scheme to extend CE eligibility to those over 50 years of age in receipt of credits or a combination of credits & Jobseekers Benefit.
While the CE scheme can offer formal training, Tús is focused on shorter term work experience and skills development. Overall, it is recognised by Government that both programmes are positive initiatives that enable participants to make a significant contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for prospective future employment.The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants, and the contract duration applicable to the Tús scheme reflects this and ensures that as many people as possible who are eligible to participate, can benefit from the scheme.Generally, Tús participants who have completed 52 weeks on the programme may progress onto CE where it is considered appropriate.The maximum duration of each Tús contract is 12 months, to ensure that as many people as possible, who are long-term unemployed, are able to benefit from the initiative. The existing 12 months duration on the scheme is deemed to be adequate to meet the programme’s objectives. However, to assist schemes and maintain services in the current labour market, a number of reforms were introduced to the Tús scheme in the past. One of the changes introduced allows up to 30% of current Tús participants, who are due to exit the scheme to have their contracts extended for a period of up to six months, on a case-by-case basis. This rule applies where no suitable replacements have been referred to fill a Tús vacancy in particular circumstances and where it is deemed that the participant will benefit from the further period of 6 months in their work placement.As you may be aware, a review of the RSS was published on the 24th July 2024. The review was undertaken to examine the role of the scheme, its ongoing relevance to the changing landscape, the funding and resourcing required along with the appropriate governance and management arrangements. The review report includes 19 recommendations to address the sustainability of the RSS. The following recommendations have been recently introduced:
  • the provision of 3-year contracts to existing RSS participants from 01 April 2025;
  • the RSS renewal process will be undertaken at 3 yearly intervals instead of the current annual review;
  • existing RSS participants who reach age 60 will not be subject to any further review of means or circumstances until they exit the scheme at age 66. However, it is important to note that the onus continues to remain on all RSS participants to notify my Department of a change in their household circumstances that could affect their rate of payment;
  • the Implementing Bodies have also been asked to explore options with people who are exiting the scheme to encourage them to participate as a volunteer within the company, in particular those who have reached 66 years.
My Department is continuing to explore the remaining recommendations with a view to implementation. I wish to re-iterate that my Department keeps all aspects of its employment programmes under review to ensure the best outcomes for participants and communities whilst also having regard to the, thankfully, much reduced number of people claiming Social Welfare payments.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Does this answer the above question?
Yes! 0 people think so!
No! 0 people think not!

Comments

No comments

 

Log in or join to post a public comment.