Vol. 413 No. 1
29 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Labour if he has any plans to reduce the existing requirement of one year of unemployment to 13 weeks in order to qualify for the incentive schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the employment incentive scheme (EIS). Following a review of the scheme by the ESRI it was decided to focus it on the long term unemployed, early school leavers and other categories, such as disabled people and travellers. The reason for this is to encourage employers to recruit persons most disadvantaged in the labour market. I would point out, however, that in the case of disabled persons, travellers and discharged prisoners, the requirement of being unemployed for one year is not rigidly applied.
I have no plans to alter the eligibility conditions of the employment incentive scheme along the lines proposed by the Deputy.
