Vol. 515 No. 4
28 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the degree of liaison between his Department and the local employment service in assisting older long-term unemployed persons to re-enter the workforce. [6126/00]
As part of its employment support services my Department maintains contact with agencies, organisations and groups in the State and community sectors with a view to offering the widest possible choice of options to unemployed people who wish to re-enter the active labour market.
My Department's jobs facilitators are aware of the range of labour market programmes, educational opportunities and other similar supports which are available, in addition to the supports provided directly by my Department such as the back to work allowance and back to education scheme. Referral to the local employment service is one of the options considered by the jobs facilitators and the Department's local office staff where it is considered appropriate.
Liaison between my Department and the local employment service is generally satisfactory. Information is not available on the extent to which referrals are made to the LES but in some areas the practice is more widespread than in others reflecting the working relationships at local level. I understand that the National Economic and Social Forum will shortly publish a report on the role of the local employment service in the context of the changed economic circumstances, the agreed institutional arrangements for the new national employment service and the employment action plan.
I will examine recommendations about improved relationships and networking between the LES and other agencies, including my Department, arising from that report.
