Pathways to Work: Minister Joe O’Brien announces over 2,600 additional places on Community Employment and Tús schemes

27th August, 2021

 

• CE and Tús schemes across the country to benefit as part of Government’s plan to tackle unemployment

 

Minister of State, Joe O’Brien TD, has today announced over 2,600 additional places on Community Employment (CE) and Tús schemes nationwide.

 

The approval for an additional 1,475 places on CE schemes and 1,164 places on Tús schemes reflects a key commitment in Pathways to Work – the Government’s ambitious new employment services strategy.

 

In terms of Community Employment, the additional 1,475 places will be allocated to schemes in every county.

 

Meanwhile, the additional 1,164 places on Tús schemes will be allocated to the 19 counties that applied.

 

Making the announcement today, Minister O’Brien said:

“‘Pathways to Work’ is all about giving people the tools and opportunities they need to secure employment. Our Community Employment and Tús schemes are central to that strategy – providing a vast range of work experience, skills development and mentoring for people who are long-term unemployed.

“At present, there are over 19,000 people participating in CE schemes and over 4,000 on Tús schemes nationwide.

“And I am delighted to be able to announce an additional allocation of 224 CE places and 80 new Tús places in schemes in Dublin, which will assist people who are out of work as well as enhancing local communities.”

Minister O’Brien added:

“In 2020, the Department of Social Protection invested €425 million in these schemes – demonstrating their importance to communities right across the country.

“So many of our towns and villages have been negatively impacted by Covid-19.

“But as we emerge from this Pandemic, we are determined to support our citizens who find themselves out of work in every way possible.

“Continually investing in CE and Tús schemes is a huge priority for me as Minister.

For further information contact johanna.walsh@oireachtas.ie

 

Note to Editors:

The allocation of the additional places stems from a key commitment in Pathways to Work for the provision of 3,000 additional places on the CE and Tús employment support schemes for people who are unemployed for twelve months or more, including time spent on the Pandemic unemployment payment (PUP).

This is the first step in allocating these additional places.

In early summer, the Department invited CE sponsoring authorities and Tús implementing bodies to submit expressions of interest that would provide employment support opportunities for such placements.

Following the initial ‘expression of interest’ process, the Department invited applications for the additional placements which, in partnership with Pobal, were assessed with those meeting key criteria approved for additional places.