Mary Harney
Question:466 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has studied a proposal (details supplied) in relation to a self-help project for the long-term unemployed. [19303/96]
Written Answers. - Self-help Scheme.
The essence of the proposal referred to by the Deputy is the setting up of a co-operative project involving 400 long-term unemployed people. Each person would have £10 per week deducted from his or her unemployment assistance payment and this money would be put into a central fund which would be used to provide participants with foodstuffs and winter fuel supplies. Each person would retain the remainder of their unemployment payment for the duration of the project.
My Department first became aware of the project in July last and in October last received detailed proposals from the project organiser regarding the way it would operate. My Department's response was to reply to the project organiser enclosing information on the back to work allowance scheme which allows unemployed people and lone parents to seek out job opportunities both in paid employment and selfemployment while retaining a percentage of their payments from my Department for up to three years. Secondary benefits, such as the fuel allowance, are also retained. Subsequently, the project organiser wrote a further letter to my Department expressing disappointment at the Department's response. However, it would be my Department's view that similarities do exist between what is being proposed and what is currently available under the back to work allowance scheme.
When I met the promoters in Kilkenny I assured them that, the proposals will be borne in mind, in the context of the development of the employment support schemes operated by my Department and measures for the long-term unemployed generally. On foot of the Deputy's inquiry I will have the regional staff discuss the project again with the promoters to assess whether or not the proposals are practicable.