Written Answers. - Employment Action Plan.
Seán Ryan
Question:
49
Mr. S. Ryan
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if she will provide a date for the extension of the employment action plan to persons aged over 25; if any extra staff are being put in place to deal with the extension of the plan; if new training provisions will be put in place for people who have been assessed under the plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4154/99]
Seán Ryan
Question:
91
Mr. S. Ryan
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the number of people interviewed to date under the employment action plan; the number of people who have signed off the live register once called for interview; the number of people who were invited to attend for interview but never turned up; the steps, if any, taken to follow up on these people; the number of people who have been placed in full-time employment; the number of people who have been placed in employment schemes; the number of people who have been placed in training; the number of people who have been interviewed but have not been placed; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[4155/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 91 together.
The first phase of implementation of the employment action plan, aimed at unemployed young persons, under 25, reaching the six months unemployment threshold, commenced with effect from 1 September 1998. To date, I have published two detailed monthly reports on the initial outcomes of the measures put in place to assist young persons in their return to work or in the provision of employability supports. Copies of these reports are available in the Dáil Library. I have asked officials in my Department to forward a copy of the first two reports to the Deputy.
The results from these reports show very clear evidence that the employment action plan approach is working. A total of 3,969 persons were referred during the months of September of December 1998 by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs for a FÁS vocational and guidance interview, of whom, by end-January 1999, 56 per cent had been interviewed, 39 per cent did not attend for interview with the remainder being active in the local employment service or pending interview. Overall, taking interviewees and non-attendees together, 47 per cent of those referred were known to have left the live register by end-January, and almost 70 per cent of these had left for positive reasons, to enter employment, 43 per cent, a FÁS programme, 18 per cent, or back to education, 7 per cent.
Given the very positive outcomes, the Government has decided to extend the plan on a phased basis. From next month we will be extending it further to young persons who are 18 months unemployed. From May, we will be extending it to adult unemployed in the age category 25 to 34 as they cross 12 months on the live register. I am satisfied that the staff resources and the programme capacity to respond to the demands arising from the action plan process are adequate but I will be keeping the matter under review as the process is rolled out.
