Vol. 499 No. 3
108 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the provisions, if any, he has put in place to minimise abuses among employers of the new scheme announced in the recent budget which provides a six week job placement for very long-term unemployed people during the lead-in to their participation on the back to work allowance scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2620/99]
As announced in the budget last December, 1,000 places under my Department's back to work allowance are being reserved for a new scheme aimed specifically at those who are more than five years on the live register and, as a consequence, difficult to place in employment. The new scheme, which is due to commence in July, will provide for a six week job placement with an employer to enable on the job and other relevant training to be provided, following which the participant will be eligible for the back to work allowance. The details of the new scheme as it affects employees and employers are currently being developed in my Department and will be announced shortly. The need for effective measures in relation to potential abuse of the scheme by employers will be taken into account in that context.
