Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

122. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to consider a revision of the TÚS programme guidelines for people in receipt of disability allowance, in order to allow them to remain on the scheme for up to 24 months, or more, if they wish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50591/25]

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

Tús is a community work placement programme which aims to provide short-term work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. Tús is focused on jobseekers that are unemployed for twelve months or more with the targeted activation of this cohort aiming to provide additional assistance and a renewed impetus to these jobseekers who could otherwise be in danger of falling into persistent long-term unemployment.

Regardless of the participants qualifying criteria, each Tús contract is for a maximum of 12 months. This time limit is set to ensure that the available placements are open to as many people as possible and ensure that the Tús programme compliments the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies.

In August 2022, the Department introduced a measure to allow a percentage of Tús participants due to exit to be further extended, in certain circumstances, for a maximum of six months.

My Department offers further opportunities to Tús participants who are still unemployed on completion of their Tús placement, through the Community Employment (CE) scheme. The commencement of a CE placement is available as a progression path for a jobseeker, and this can be accessed with the assistance of an employment personal advisor in their local Intreo office.

My Department continues to review all of its activation programmes to ensure the best outcomes for all concerned. However, currently there are no plans to extend the scheme for more than 12 months for people in receipt of Disability Allowance. Government recognises the value of the Tús programme as a positive initiative involving a large number of placements engaged in valuable service delivery to individuals and communities across Ireland, whilst also enabling the long-term unemployed to up-skill themselves for prospective future employment.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.