Major reforms to Community Employment and Tús schemes will extend eligibility criteria for Dublin participants and provide additional flexibility to local supervisors when it comes to recruitment, a local TD has said.Deputy Emer Higgins said: “These schemes support a range of vital local services in Dublin such as childcare, meals on wheels, the maintenance and upkeep of local amenities and other vital work in our communities. “Eligibility for Tús is now extended to persons in receipt of disability payments and flexibility for CE schemes will allow for direct recruiting of eligible candidates to fill 30% of places.
“Intreo centres such as the Clondalkin office on the Lock Road will also feel benefits with an increase in the number of referrals to CE Schemes now required to offer places to at least 60% of candidates. “Fine Gael is working to create stronger safer communities and these changes will support these schemes by strengthening the recruitment process and the delivery of essential local services in communities across Dublin,” said Deputy Higgins. “We’ve many local groups and businesses in the community who are loyal supporters of the CE and Tús schemes and equally we have so many people who have benefited from the skills and experience offered by the schemes so it’s a system that works really well and I hope these improvements further strengthen the local involvement,” concluded Deputy Higgins.
Minister Heather Humphreys TD, said: “The changes that I am announcing will extend the eligibility criteria for these schemes and will also provide additional flexibility to local supervisors when it comes to the recruitment and retention of participants. “I’m from a rural community myself and have always been a passionate believer in the benefits of programmes like CE, Tús and RSS both for participants and for communities. “I am pleased to announce that the application process for the ex-gratia payment for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors is now open. “My department will shortly write to CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who may have an immediate entitlement inviting them to apply for this payment.”
