New measures to protect the future of CE Schemes and widen the range of people in Donegal that can take part – McHugh

CE will continue to be the largest programme this year with 1,087 places available. The balance will be made up of 225 placements in the Rural Social Scheme and 388 places in Tús.

“One of the changes is a reduction in the entry age for CE Schemes from 25 to 21 years of age, allowing more young people here in Donegal to take part,” said McHugh

“My Fine Gael colleague, the Social Protection Minister, Leo Varadkar, also confirmed to me that it will be easier for previous participants to re-enter a scheme or get an extra year, as the cut-off year is being moved forward from 2000 to 2007.

“CE participants, working towards a major award, can now seek to extend participation by up to two years, while those over 55 years of age will be allowed to remain on CE for three years.

“I can also confirm the community and social benefits arising from many schemes will be safeguarded thanks to a new two strand approach, with places on schemes categorised as either social inclusion or activation.

“A guaranteed minimum number of places will be available in Donegal by linking the places to the number of people on the Live Register. This will better enable the Scheme to meet demand.

“Within the next three months, Minister Varadkar will also review the possibility of allowing more older people to stay on schemes for longer.

“I have seen at first-hand how these programmes deliver both for unemployed people and for their communities. They support key services across Donegal including childcare, health and social care, sports clubs and community centres, and local amenities. That’s why we are making CE schemes more flexible and putting in place new conditions which will open them to more people who are long-term unemployed, so that they continue delivering for participants and for their local area.”

ENDS