Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 7

Written Answers. - Back to Work Allowance.

Michael Woods

Question:

29 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has received the evaluation of the area allowance initiative; when the evaluation report on the back to work scheme which he received in the summer of 1996 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5719/97]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

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 17,000 persons currently in receipt of the weekly allowance. It provides support over a three year period to those wishing to take up employment or self-employment opportunities. Because of the success of the scheme, the Government has agreed as part of its strategy to tackle unemployment, to increase the number of places from 17,000 to 22,000. One thousand of these places will be reserved for people with disabilities.

The final report on the evaluation of the scheme was made available to my Department in 1996 and this indicated that the scheme was playing a significant role in enabling the long-term unemployed to take up a job or become self-employed. It found that the levels of deadweight and displacement associated with the scheme are within acceptable levels and are offset by the opportunities provided to the LTU's. The evaluation of the area allowance enterprise which was also commissioned by my Department at the same time has been received. Since both schemes are inter-dependent I decided to wait and publish both reports together. I intend doing so within the next few weeks.