I thank the Deputy for making the case on behalf of Dublin's inner city areas about which he expressed concern. I welcome the opportunity to set out the Government's approach to tackling the unemployment problem and how it will relate to these areas.
Long-term unemployment is a major problem. While other OECD countries are also experiencing this problem, it is true that Ireland suffers from an exceptionally high level of long-term unemployment and had the highest long-term unemployment rate in the OECD in 1991. This scenario was the background to the report of the National Economic and Social Forum in June 1994, entitled Ending Long-Term Unemployment.
That report considered in detail the problem of long-term unemployment which has beset this country for several years. It also presented a number of submissions and examples as to how the problem might be addressed. It was a significant contribution to the debate, particularly on two fronts. The forum concluded that the only appropriate target with respect to long-term unemployment was its elimination. It put forward a central recommendation that a national, comprehensive, locally-based employment service should be put in place. The service would have particular responsibility for implementing the two strategies of preventing long-term unemployment and reintegrating the long-term unemployed back into employment.
I accept that Dublin's north and south inner city areas have suffered serious disadvantages going back several years. Unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment, is a serious problem. The Government is aware of the effects of this problem on the communities concerned. Long-term unemployment holds back any chance of the communities developing while individuals and families suffering long-term unemployment experience obstacles in gaining access to opportunities in education, work and an adequate income.
The acceptance of the reality has prompted action on a number of fronts to attack the problem. The Dublin Inner City Partnership was set up in 1991 to address the problems of Dublin's inner city. The partnership draws together the social partners, local communities and State agencies. It was one of the first partnerships to be established and has drawn up an action plan to the year 2000 aimed at improving the inner city's environment, investment prospects and job opportunities for the residents. It is one of the areas chosen for the implementation of a local employment service.
The Government decided in February 1995 to establish the local employment service in 14 key areas. The details of how the service would operate were set out in the interim report of the Task Force on Long-Term Unemployment in February 1995. This service for the unemployed in Dublin's inner city, covering an area roughly between the Royal and Grand Canals, will be an important contribution to the efforts to alleviate the problem of long-term unemployment.
In general terms, the service will aim to plug the following gaps where they arise in services for the unemployed: the absence of an effective guidance and counselling service; an information deficit on the range of services available; a comprehensive registration service and database; an active placement service to liaise with employers; an after placement assistance service; a planned progression path and effective co-ordination of services combining a clear delineation of roles with effective co-operation and delivery.
The service is now up and running in Dublin's inner city. While it is early days yet in the provision of the various services, I am confident that it is the best way forward to assist the unemployed and in keeping with the recommendation of the National Economic and Social Forum. The area is fortunate in having many professional and dedicated individuals involved in this service.
In addition to the local employment service, there are a number of measures specifically aimed at assisting the unemployed to return to the labour force. Community employment projects are making significant improvements in Dublin's inner city through a wide range of work areas such as the environment, community and caring services, schools, community placement services, arts, heritage, tourism and sports. The community employment scheme is acting as an important vehicle for economic and social development within the inner city area where there is an agreed annual plan drawn up between FÁS and the Dublin Inner City Partnership.
Arising from recommendations in the Task Force Report on Long-Term Unemployment it has been decided that community employment will become more focused on the long-term unemployed. This move will benefit many such persons in the Dublin inner city area. Since April of this year community employment has taken the form of two options, the integration option and the work option.
The job initiative programme was launched in July 1996. It will provide full-time work for three years at the going rate of pay with local "not for profit" sponsors. The objective of the job initiative is to provide direct employment to those among the long-term unemployed for whom access to the labour market is extremely limited now and in the foreseeable future. At the same time it is to provide useful work which can have a significant impact on local development in confined urban areas which have extremely weak local labour markets. Persons eligible for the job initiative include those living in the Dublin Inner City Partnership as well as four other partnerships in Dublin-Tallaght, Ballymun, Coolock-Darndale-Kilbarrack and Finglas-Cabra.
Workplace was launched at the end of May 1996 and is a work experience programme which provides up to five weeks placement with employers in the private, public, voluntary or community sectors. It focuses on persons who are six months unemployed and who are considered "employment ready".
Jobstart is a recruitment subsidy for employers which was launched at the end of May 1996. A Jobstart subsidy of £80 per week is paid to the employer in respect of 52 weeks continuous employment of eligible Jobstart participants.
Other FÁS activities include developmental training, employment support services and industry training for the unemployed. In addition, the Government has introduced special measures for 18 to 19 year olds and various schemes which allow for the retention of certain benefits for those returning to work.
The job creation agencies have performed very well in recent years and during 1995 IDA Ireland, Forbairt and the county enterprise boards created approximately 8,500 jobs in the Dublin City and county area. These opportunities are most welcome and make the training/labour market schemes all the more vital so that the long-term unemployed can be helped to compete for these jobs.
The Government decided in April 1996 that the Interdepartmental Policy Committee on Local Development should be asked to prepare a report for the Government which would identify those areas of Dublin where long-term unemployment is most severe; establish the present employment opportunities arising in these areas and their immediate vicinity; recommend how the range of incentives to support the transition to work might be promoted to encourage employment creation and recruitment in these blackspots; and recommend other measures which might be taken to encourage employment creation benefiting such areas. Work is continuing towards finalising that report.
I mention all of these initiatives to illustrate the seriousness with which the Government views the problem of long-term unemployment. There is no real need for yet another special task force as sought by the Deputy. The practical, on the ground assistance being given to the unemployed by a range of State agencies in the labour market and job creation areas and by voluntary groups, in addition to the action taken by the Government which I have just outlined, will improve the outlook for the unemployed nationally, including Dublin's inner city. The Government has a clear, strategic approach to dealing with the unemployment problem which is now beginning to bear fruit.
