Thousands of new community work posts very welcome - O’Connor

Dublin South West T.D. Charlie O’Connor has welcomed plans by the Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív T.D. to create between 5,000 and 10,000 community work placement places in the months ahead for those currently unemployed.

“Under this plan I understand those out of work will be offered placements in after-school services, childcare, services for older people, environmental projects, heritage centres, tourist facilities and sports clubs.  This will be very welcome new in my constituency and I will be encouraging the Minister to make a significant number of these places available to people in Tallaght,” said Deputy O’Connor, who is vice-chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs.

“The Department of Social Protection is drawing up plans to help people who are out of work to maintain their employability through community work placements.  Under the plans the Community Services Programme and the Rural Social Scheme which currently provide 5,300 placements will be adapted and expanded.  This is very important.  Community schemes in Tallaght play a very important role in the community and unemployment remains a very serious problem in Tallaght.”

These schemes will be transferred from the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs to the Department of Social Protection early this autumn.

“At the moment it is envisaged that those who take up a placement under this plan will not be means-tested and will be offered €210 for a 19.5 hour week.  It is also likely the places to be made available would be offered when a person reaches the 6-months on the Live Register threshold.”

“Obviously the department will investigate where a person refuses a training place and the plan should help in the detection of social welfare fraud but I believe this plan represents a win-win situation.  People who are out of work will maintain their employability and at the same time groups will get an extra pair of hands to carry out important work in Tallaght and other communities across the constituency,” concluded Deputy O’Connor.