Vol. 462 No. 1
20 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Welfare what consideration, if any, he has given to offering an incentive to an unemployed person to work for a charitable organisation which would benefit both the unemployed person and the charity. [4035/96]
The voluntary work option, operated by my Department, enables people in receipt of unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance to undertake certain types of voluntary work while retaining their unemployment payments. The option covers a range of voluntary work, including helping the elderly, sick or handicapped and assisting youth clubs, church groups, sports clubs, cultural organisations and local residents, associations. The groups involved may be nationally organised groups, local voluntary groups or community groups.
My Department encourages voluntary organisations to involve unemployed people in their activities. The value of the voluntary work option scheme is that it provides an opportunity for people to develop their existing skills or prepare for full-time employment while undertaking work which is of benefit to their community.
I should also mention that the back-to-work allowance scheme provides an opportunity for an unemployed person to take up work in certain sectors, including voluntary organisations and community development groups, and retain a percentage of his or her payment. Eligible participants retain 75 per cent, 50 per cent and 25 per cent of their payments for the first, second and third year respectively while also retaining their secondary benefits.
