Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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476. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider extending the duration of the Tús programme for people with disabilities (details supplied). [40502/24]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Tús is a community work placement initiative which aims to provide short-term work opportunities for those who are unemployed for more than a year. The Department is very conscious of the need to support Tús and continues to meet regularly with representatives of these programmes.

The focus of Tús is on jobseekers that are unemployed for twelve months or more, and the targeted activation of this cohort aims to provide additional assistance and a renewed impetus to these jobseekers who could otherwise be in danger of falling into persistent long-term unemployment.

The duration of each Tús contract is for a maximum of 12 months; a time limit set to ensure that the available placements are open to as many people as possible who are long-term unemployed and to ensure that Tús complements the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies in Pathways to Work.

The existing 12 months duration on the scheme is deemed to be adequate to meet the programme's objectives and to prepare participants for a return to the open labour market. Where a participant requires further support or training on completion of a Tús placement, there is an option of transferring to a CE placement. The CE programme also provides a possibility to engage in QQI accredited training and development.

The Department keeps all aspects of its employment and activation programmes under review to ensure that they benefit all participants, and in acknowledgement of the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services. However, there are currently no plans to extend the duration of Tús placements beyond twelve months.

I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.