Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Job Initiative.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

116 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the conclusions she has reached on the future operation of the jobs initiative programme; if there will be a rollover of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10698/00]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney):

The job initiative programme (JI) is a three year work experience programme for persons who have been unemployed for five years or longer. The fundamental objective of the programme is to progress participants into mainstream employment. The first phase of participants have completed their term and are now availing of a six month extension in order to address any training or development needs they may have, and to allow time for the local employment service to engage more actively with them to facilitate their progression to employment in the open labour market.

The recent review of the operation of the JI programme by Deloitte & Touche, recommended that the eligibility criteria for the programme remain unchanged. My Department has consulted with the social partners on this issue and there is broad agreement that the focus of the programme on the older long-term unemployed should remain unchanged. The programme will have an increased emphasis on progression to employment in the open labour market. However, there is some need for flexibility in defining what constitutes progression and the pace at which it can occur. Different options will be appropriate depending on individual circumstances. Therefore, as recommended by the consultants, it is likely that some roll-over will be necessary to facilitate overall progression.

The consultation process will be completed shortly at which point new guidelines will be issued.