John Bruton
Question:150 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Labour if he has satisfied himself with the drop since 1986 in the number of unemployed people who have been assisted to find work in the employment incentive scheme.
Written Answers. - Employment Incentive Scheme.
The employment incentive scheme has, since the end of 1989, been targeted at the long term unemployed over 25, early school leavers and other disadvantaged persons. This limit on participation resulted from the recommendations of an ESRI report on the scheme prepared at the request of the Department of Labour.
The decrease in the numbers assisted under the scheme in 1991 compared with 1986 reflects the targeting of the scheme on those with particular difficulties in securing employment.
I would point out that the new employment subsidy scheme which has been operational since the beginning of February 1992 is in general aimed at encouraging the recruitment of persons who have been on the live register for at least eight weeks. Some 210 persons have been recruited under the scheme and a further 1,100 have been approved for recruitment. The rate of recruitment has also increased.