179. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an up to date age profile breakdown for the drug rehabilitation participants on community employment schemes; if she will further provide an up to date age profile breakdown for general participants on community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8097/15]

180. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection  if she will provide a gender breakdown for the drug rehabilitation participants on community employment schemes; if she will further provide an up to date gender profile breakdown for general participants on community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8098/15]

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection (Deputy Kevin Humphreys):  I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.

In terms of the age profile of participants on Community Employment (CE):

• Table 1 below provides the profile of participants on CE drug rehabilitation projects. At December 2014, 27% (257) are under 25 years of age. While the minimum age for participation on a standard CE programme is 25 years of age, this requirement has been reduced for people referred to CE in recovery from substance misuse to 18 years. The majority of participants - 67% - are between the ages of 25-54 years.
• Table 2 below provides the age profile for all participants on CE. As of December 2014, less than 3% (655) are under 25 years of age. The majority of participants - 65% - are between the ages 25-54 years.

In terms of the gender breakdown of participants on CE:

• Table 3 below provides the breakdown for referred participants on drug rehabilitation projects. As of December 2014, there are 936 referred clients on drug rehabilitation projects - 69% are male (644) and 31% are (292) female.
• Table 4 below provides the breakdown for all participants on CE. As of December 2014, there are 23,249 participants on CE – 57% (13,276) are male and 43% (9,973) are female.

Table 1: Drug Rehabilitation Places on Community Employment by Age (Referred Clients)

December 2014: CSM IT Extracts (Referred clients)

Table 2: Community Employment Participants by Age

December 2014: CSM IT Extracts

Table 3: Ring-fenced Drug Rehabilitation Places and Gender (Referred Clients)

December 2014: CSM IT Extracts (Referred clients)

Table 4: Community Employment Participants and Gender

December 2014: CSM IT Extracts