Vol. 353 No. 9
asked the Minister for Labour if he can explain the nature of training schemes for young people under 25 in 1982 and 1983, especially in relation to the situation whereby an increase of over £5 million in ESF spending to nearly £29 million in 1982 resulted in training 10,000 extra young people, while an increase of approximately £15 million in 1983 spending resulted in training an extra 4,517.
820.
asked the Minister for Labour in view of the breakdown of social fund expenditure for young people in 1983, namely that £34,912,164 was allocated to training schemes involving 21,280 people, while just over £8 million, or about one-quarter of the sum spent on training, provided temporary employment for 23,392 people, if he considers that more flexibility in the administration of training and temporary employment schemes for young people, coupled with a less bureaucratic approach from State agencies to those who want to start small businesses, might lead to more long term jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions 819 and 820 together.
Figures of social fund expenditure do not give an adequate basis for comparing participation in training and employment schemes in any year or changes in such participation from year to year. This arises for a number of reasons. Social fund figures are only part of the total expenditure on training and employment programmes. The rate of assistance from the social fund varies between training programmes and employment programmes. In brief, training schemes attract social fund aid at 55 per cent of total eligible expenditure while schemes of temporary employment and work experience attract ESF support at a much lower flat rate. In 1983, this flat rate was a little over £11 per week per young person. For example, social fund aid for AnCO's community youth training programme in 1983 was around £46 per week per participant while a person on a temporary employment scheme attracted social fund support of a little over £11. Furthermore, the numbers trained do not give a reliable indication of total training activity because of the differences in course and programme duration and content.
In my view the range of training and temporary employment programmes available meet the needs and aspirations of our young people in a cost effective way. There is furthermore significant flexibility in the administration of training and temporary employment schemes for young people. Measures undertaken by my Department, the Youth Employment Agency, AnCO, CERT and the National Manpower Service are designed to ensure that youth schemes respond promptly and flexibly to youth needs.
There is a wide range of employment schemes available including the grant schemes for youth employment, the work experience programme, the enterprise allowance scheme, the employment incentive scheme, the community enterprise programme, youth self employment programme, marketplace and the youth scientist and technologist programme. I would draw attention to the wide geographical dispersion of these programmes throughout the country. With regard to training, AnCO and CERT operate a variety of courses again with a wide geographical spread.
As regards unemployed young persons wishing to set up in business, they can receive a weekly income for up to a year under my Department's enterprise allowance scheme and can additionally qualify for assistance in securing a bank loan of up to £3,000 under the Youth Employment Agency's youth self employment programme.
821.
asked the Minister for Labour if he has any proposals to help groups who have applied for youth employment grants and who cannot get insurance for their employees.
I am aware of the difficulties in relation to insurance cover encountered by the organisers of some projects under the grant scheme for youth employment and my Department is at present actively examining this matter. I will let the Deputy know the outcome of this examination as soon as possible.
822.
asked the Minister for Labour when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be paid a grant by the National Manpower Service for his new business venture under the Enterprise Allowance Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have arranged for the person (details supplied) to be paid capitalisation of his weekly enterprise allowance as requested during the coming week.
