Vol. 473 No. 3
191 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare whether he will publish the evaluation report on the back-to-work allowance scheme which was received by him in the summer of 1995; and the reason for the delay in relation to this publication. [24973/96]
The back to work allowance was introduced in September 1993 as part of my Department's programme of initiatives designed to encourage the long-term unemployed to return to the active labour force. The scheme has proved to be a very worthwhile initiative with over 16,000 persons currently in receipt of the weekly allowance which provides support over a three year period to those wishing to take up employment and self employment opportunities.
An independent evaluation of the scheme was commissioned in 1995 along with an evaluation of the area allowance enterprise, which applies to unemployed people residing in designated partnership areas.
The final report on the back to work scheme was made available to my Department earlier this year and the result will be made available early in the new year when the final report on the area allowance initiative is received from the consultants.
