Written Answers - Employment Support Services.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:
34
Mr. Rabbitte
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to the recent proposals from the INOU for a Government information strategy on the benefits of taking up work; the additional initiative, if any, he proposes in regard to information on schemes operated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24611/98]
My Department administers a range of schemes and initiatives designed to help unemployed people return to work or to broaden their vocational skills through various education, training and work experience options. The provision of information to eligible people is an integral part of the administration of these schemes. The approach taken is based on the provision of information directly to all unemployed people, as well as general advertising and a close working liaison with a variety of relevant statutory and voluntary organisations.
Procedures are in place to ensure that people entering the live register are given basic details of the options which are, or may become, available to them. Further information is provided at appropriate intervals, for example, as the person concerned approaches the eligibility stages for the various education or work schemes. I might also mention that, in accordance with the national action plan for employment, all people under 25 years of age are referred to FÁS when they are on the live register for six months for detailed appraisal of their training needs and employment opportunities.
My Department also has a dedicated employment support unit based primarily on a network of job facilitators and regional co-ordinators who interact with unemployed people and lone parents in relation to all of the options available to assist them in returning to work or setting up self-employment ventures, including those delivered by other agencies. These officers offer advice and assistance, including, where necessary, support towards training, the preparation of business plans and the acquisition of loans, etc.
The Department publishes a variety of information leaflets and booklets covering employment support schemes. It also provides substantial financial assistance towards the cost of information packs and booklets published by other organisations, including the INOU's "Working for Work" booklet and the NSSB's "Getting Back to Work". Grants are also provided annually to both the INOU and ICTU to support their respective welfare rights and information services.
The importance of information for employers is also recognised and an information booklet was produced in consultation with the Small Firms Association, ICTU and the INOU. Arrangements are being made to have this information updated and re-issued in the near future. Information provided by means of an annual mailshot to over 140,000 registered employers also contains details of schemes of relevance to those wishing to expand their workforce such as the PRSI exemption scheme, family income supplement and back-to-work allowance.
A nationwide promotion campaign was undertaken in September of this year to further increase awareness and to demonstrate that, with the aid of the various support schemes, people can be better off at work. This was based on a distribution of 300,000 copies of a newsletter to unemployed people and relevant organisations and agencies, and supported by an advertising campaign using the provincial press and local radio. All of the relevant supports from various agencies were covered in this campaign and every effort was made to ensure that close working relations with other agencies are further strengthened. Other matters, such as the improvements in the method of calculating FIS using net rather than gross pay were also widely advertised in the national press.
My Department recognises the importance of having quality information available to potential participants and will continue to vigorously promote awareness and understanding of the various options. In this regard, I welcome the broad thrust of the INOU's proposals and we will continue to work with that organisation and others to ensure that people get the full benefits of the various supports on returning to work or to further education.
