Vol. 518 No. 5
76 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has met with representatives of the north inner city community groups who are concerned that a certain number of persons, who have not yet been placed in open employment following their period on the wholetime jobs initiative, should be retained on the scheme for a period and given intensive placement support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12155/00]
The review by Deloitte & Touche, consultants, conducted in 1999 into the operation of the jobs initiative, JI, programme on behalf of my Department, took into consideration submissions by a range of partnerships, managing agents, training co-ordinators and other organisations located mostly in Dublin.
In addition to consultations with the social partners on the consultants' recommendations, my Department has also had discussions with a number of inner-Dublin city groups on the operation of JI. The question of an appropriate level of roll-over for those participants who would benefit from a further period on the programme, as recommended by the consultants, has been raised in these discussions.
The consultants have also recommended the development of a high support programme on a pilot basis to meet the needs of those most distanced from the labour market. A study into this matter will be pursued by my Department as soon as possible, as provided for under framework IV of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
