Vol. 535 No. 1
112 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will review the current payment rates for participants on the job incentive scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11708/01]
113 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason participants on the job incentive scheme have not received an increase; when an increase will be paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11709/01]
114 Mr. Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will ensure that job incentive scheme participants receive increases in line with the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11710/01]
117 Mr. Gregory asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the present rate of payment to persons on the whole-time jobs initiative; and the increases due to them in 2001. [11863/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 113, 114, 117 and 125 together.
I am happy to confirm that the grant payable to managing agents on the Job Initiative Programme will increase from £220 to £238 per participant, per week, and will be backdated to 1 April 2001. Managing agents may retain up to 12% of the FÁS grant towards training and development of the participants, administration costs and overheads of the project. The grant increase will, therefore, provide for a new minimum payment to job initiative participants of £209.43, representing an increase of £15.83 per week on the previous minimum payment.
The work experience and training provided for participants on job initiative as an active labour market programme is not a substitute for mainstream employment. Accordingly, it is considered more appropriate to link the rate increase in job initiative to the hourly increase granted in the case of community employment participants, in line with recent general social welfare rate increases.
