Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 9

Written Answers. - Long-Term Unemployment.

Liam Kavanagh

Question:

23 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline his plans to secure a better response from the private sector in 1990 in addressing the crisis of long-term unemployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

I announced a range of employment creation measures on 27 September last. These included a number of measures aimed at the long-term unemployed. In particular, the employment incentive scheme has been redirected to provide employment premiums only for long-term unemployed people over 25 years of age, early school leavers and the handicapped. Premiums will also be payable to employers for 39 weeks, instead of 24 weeks, as at present.

I would hope that the improvements in this scheme and the general improvement in the economy will lead to more of the long-term unemployed getting jobs in the private sector. The most recent figure for long-term unemployment relates to April 1989 and this shows a heartening decline of 6,500 in the numbers of long-term unemployed compared with April 1987.

As the Deputy will be aware, FÁS provide the building on experience programme and the social employment scheme which are targeted mainly on the long-term unemployed. The social employment scheme will have 5,000 extra places in 1990. The long-term unemployed also participate in other FÁS training programmes. By participating in these measures the long-term unemployed reactivate existing skills and learn new ones, thus becoming more employable.

Finally, I intend to take action to assist the long-term unemployed, the major item on the agenda of the Social Affairs Council during the Irish Presidency of the EC. Action by employers will be one of the issues to be considered under this heading.