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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Subsidy Scheme.

Liam Burke

Question:

6 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether he has examined the findings of the Connolly Unemployment Centre on the operation of the employment subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department requested a copy of this report but I have not, to date, received the report in question although I am aware of a press article on it.

I will be happy to respond in detail to the report when the Connolly Centre has forwarded a copy to me.

I should point out that the scheme ceased with effect from 26 February 1993.

Is the Minister not aware that this group is operating, if not in his own constituency, in an area close to it?

Amazing.

Perhaps he might have some other way of obtaining a copy of the report, as I did. Is the Minister aware of the findings that specifically 75 per cent of the people taken on were below the minimum wage and that 80 per cent of those vacancies filled under the scheme were in unskilled job categories? Would he agree this is a bad omen for the job subsidy scheme to which there is a commitment in the Programme for Government? On foot of those findings, what policy changes in regard to that scheme does the Minister intend implementing?

First, the Deputy may be aware that the centre in question is in my constituency and, second, I am familiar with the work of the centre. However, in this specific instance, the Department wrote to the centre seeking a copy of the report, for the precise evaluation of it, and it has not be received.

The Minister got a report himself.

I am aware of some of the conclusions and the scheme which came into operation in February 1992 was not as satisfactory or as successful as the promoters at that time would have wished it to be. It is being reviewed in the light of the forthcoming EC Structural Funds programme. I should point out also that the scheme was introduced on a short term, one year basis, with the agreement of the EC and that we are reviewing it.

Can the Minister say whether, in the light of the findings of this report, he favours the introduction of minimum wage legislation?

That is a separate matter.

There is a separate question on the Order Paper in respect of that matter.

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