Patrick J. Morley
Question:21 Mr. Morley asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will review the part-time job incentive scheme to make it more attractive to unemployed persons. [4033/96]
Written Answers. - Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme.
Gerard C. Connolly
Question:36 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Social Welfare what plans, if any, he has to review the part-time job incentive scheme to give a more realistic income under the scheme to persons with dependent children. [1295/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 36 together.
The part-time job incentive scheme was introduced on a pilot basis in mid 1986 and was extended nation-wide in 1988. It was one of my Department's early measures to assist the long-term unemployed in gaining access to the labour market. It allows the long-term unemployed to take up part-time employment while continuing to receive a flat rate income supplement from my Department. The objective of the scheme is to encourage the long-term unemployed to make the transition to full-time employment. There are 538 persons only participating in the scheme at present. Persons with dependent children who work for between 20 and 24 hours a week may also claim family income supplement. The scheme is used mainly by part-time teachers, school bus drivers, librarians, shop assistants, and receptionists.
As the scheme has been in operation for almost ten years, it is my intention to have a review carried out as soon as possible to determine how effective it has been and to assess its continuing relevance in the light of the introduction of the very successful back-to-work-allowance scheme.