asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of people who have been interviewed as a result of the introduction of the Jobsearch programme; the total number who have been referred to various training programmes; the total number who have been referred to various enterprise allowance schemes; the total number who have had their unemployment benefit/unemployment assistance withdrawn; and the number withdrawn who have claimed and are in receipt of a supplementary welfare allowance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Jobsearch Programme.
64.
As the Deputy may be aware the national Jobsearch programme provided that by the end of the year 150,000 of those on the live register would be interviewed by the National Manpower Service, that 40,000 manpower scheme opportunities would be made available as a priority to the long term unemployed together with 12,000 Jobsearch course placements. The purpose of this national programme is to help the unemployed, especially the long term unemployed, in their search for work and training. An effect of the operation of this programme is, that it can bring to attention people who are not available for or genuinely seeking work.
Thus, a number of those who should not be on the live register either leave the register voluntarily or are disallowed as a result of information which comes to light during the interviews. The cumulative position up to 6 November 1987 in relation to progress under the Jobsearch programme is as follows — I am presuming that what the Deputy means by "referred" is placement in a scheme, or training programme:
|
Total number interviewed since programme began: |
118,463 |
|
|
Total number placed on various schemes: |
||
|
(a)AnCO Mainline Courses: |
11,736 |
|
|
(b)Jobsearch Courses: |
8,406 |
|
|
————— |
20,142 |
|
|
(c)Manpower Schemes: |
13,051 |
|
|
————— |
33,193 |
|
|
(d)Confirmed in jobs |
3,532 |
|
|
————— |
36,725 |
The figures available to week ending 6 November 1987 show that up to that date 9,270 left the register when offered an opportunity to participate in a scheme or programme or to accept an offer of a job. A total of 1,440 persons who had not availed of an invitation to participate in some aspect of the programme have had their cases reviewed resulting in disallowances being imposed under the social welfare Acts. Of these 158 were subsequently reinstated on benefit following appeal. Accordingly, the net number of persons disallowed up to 6 November 1987 as a result of the programme was 1,282. Comprehensive statistics are not yet available from the health boards concerning the number of these persons who have applied for supplementary welfare allowance as a result of having their unemployment benefit/ assistance withdrawn. Information available, however, indicates that the number of persons transferring to the supplementary welfare allowance scheme is insignificant and has had little or no effect on the day to day operation of that scheme.
I find it extraordinary that we can interview 118,000 people under the Jobsearch programme and we cannot interview a couple of hundred applicants for unemployment assistance. The policy in regard to Jobsearch must be reviewed. During the week I was given details of the case of a woman who graduated with a B.A., H. Dip. in Ed. and had spent five years as a personnel officer being sent to AnCO to learn how to prepare a CV, how to answer a phone and prepare an application for a job. Is that an incentive to anybody? That person had all the qualifications necessary but she was sent to AnCO, and paid to learn something she was in complete control of.
I want to assist the Deputy to elicit information but we shall have to proceed by way of supplementary question.
I want the Minister to clarify the position in regard to that person.
The purpose of the Jobsearch programme is to assist people seeking employment. They are provided with facilities and tutors to help them seek employment. I have come across a number of very well qualified people embarking on the Jobsearch programme. We must remember that those who qualify to go on that programme are the long term unemployed. Initially some of these people found that the course was not what they had in mind but subsequently they admitted that the course helped them in getting jobs. Such people will be in a better position to get employment as a result of the contacts and facilities made available to them at the Jobsearch centres. For example, people who have been out of employment for a long time may decide to change their line of work. It is common to find people who are technically qualified for many jobs considering other opportunities after discussions with AnCO officials.
I do not think it is right that a person who is technically qualified for a job should be asked to attend a course as if she was a child in first class. The person I am referring to was a personnel officer for five years and was paid by AnCO to learn how to prepare a CV, to answer a telephone and apply for a job. Is that not a waste of money?
People at all levels in management and who are well qualified technically attend training courses regularly. They sit down with tutors to consider new opportunities.
Is it back to Bunny Carr this evening for the Minister?
As the time for Questions has expired, may I have the permission of the House to take the remaining Priority Question in the name of Deputy Jim Mitchell? Agreed.