Jobs Initiative.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2004

Tuesday, 18 May 2004

Questions (110)

Seán Ryan

Question:

121 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the fact that without a change in the eligibility threshold, the €10 increase in lone parents allowance in 2004 has resulted in women on the jobs initiative scheme losing out substantially and to such an extent that many of them had no alternative other than to opt out of the scheme; the amount of money and benefit lost to participants continuing on the scheme arising from the €10 increase; and the way in which she proposes to deal with this anomaly. [14619/04]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey)

The jobs initiative, JI, programme is a work experience programme for persons 35 years of age or older who have been unemployed for five years or longer. Participants are offered temporary full-time employment for a period of three years. Eligible persons are employed by managing agents, with the support of a grant from FÁS for this purpose. The rates of payment for persons in receipt of the one-parent family payment, which is a means tested payment, and eligibility for this payment is a matter for the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The future structure of the JI and community employment programmes is under review by a group of senior officials and FÁS, and this group will report to Ministers on the outcome of its deliberations shortly. Decisions on any future adjustments in the structure and the terms and conditions of participation on these programmes will be taken when the review process has been brought to a conclusion.