Michael Creed
Question:175 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals his Department has to prevent long-term unemployment of older workers and to integrate older persons into the labour market. [29871/00]
Written Answers. - Long-Term Unemployment.
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, including older persons, who wish to re-enter the active labour market.
My Department's jobs facilitators would be 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.
There is, in addition, 1,000 ring-fenced places on the back to work allowance scheme for the very long-term unemployed (five years plus) which benefit those in the older age group who can be disproportionately represented in this category.
The Deputy may also be aware, that within the framework of PPF, the standing committee on the labour market has been mandated, on the basis of a report by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to examine, identify and develop appropriate supports to meet the needs of those people who because of age, literacy or other barriers, are unlikely to succeed in getting and keeping a job. I understand that proposals in this regard have been circulated within the past few days by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to members of the standing committee for discussion on 15 December 2000.
Finally, I understand that a strategy for encouraging older workers to stay in, or rejoin the labour force as a short-term response to meeting shortage in the labour supply is currently being considered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This work is being progressed in consultation with the social partners and may have implications for long-term unemployment among the older age groups. A preliminary report on this has been submitted to the Tánaiste for her consideration.