Dáil Éireann - Volume 579 - 11 February, 2004

Written Answers - Community Employment Schemes.

Mr. Ring Mr. Ring

  149. Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will amend the eligibility criteria for FÁS schemes to enable dependants of persons in receipt of social welfare to be eligible for a FÁS scheme. [3991/04]

Mr. Fahey Mr. Fahey

1586

  Mr. Fahey:All adult dependants aged 25 or over of eligible persons signing on the live register and in receipt [1586] of an unemployment payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs may participate in community employment. The dependant may swap his/her entitlements with his/her spouse and thereby become eligible to participate in community employment. This procedure is known as spousal swap and ensures that no financial loss is incurred for the couple as a result of participation in community employment.

The structure of the community employment programme is currently under review. A decision on the future eligibility criteria for participants will be taken when the current review process has been brought to a conclusion.

Dáil Éireann 579 Written Answers Community Employment Schemes.

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