Major reforms to Community Employment, Tús and the Rural Social Scheme will extend eligibility criteria for local participants and provide additional flexibility to local supervisors when it comes to recruitment, local Fine Gael Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, has stated.
“These schemes support a range of vital local services such as childcare, meals on wheels, the maintenance and upkeep of local amenities and other vital work in our communities.
“For the Rural Social Scheme, the six-year time limit will be removed. Eligibility for Tús is now extended to persons in receipt of disability payments. Flexibility for CE schemes will allow for direct recruiting of eligible candidates to fill 30% of places.
“The Intreo centres across the county will also feel benefits with an increase in the number of referrals to CE. Schemes will be 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 Westmeath,” Deputy Burke asserted.
