Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 January 2013
135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of her proposals to put long-term jobless persons to work in local county councils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3420/13]
View answer156. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection if any new employment scheme involving local authorities has been made available; if so when will it be rolled out in County Galway and if persons on disability allowance may take part; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3444/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 156 together.
The Government, as part of the Budget package for 2013 announced a number of initiatives focused on providing work opportunities for those currently unemployed. The key elements of this package are to add an additional 2,500 places to JobBridge; 2,000 places on community employment; 2,500 to Tús – the community work placement initiative - and the development of a new initiative with local authorities to provide 3,000 opportunities in 2013. This is in line with the commitments set out in the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work. I have made announcements in recent days with respect to the roll-out of new community employment placements and I hope to announce the allocation of additional placements on Tús in the coming days once the necessary consultation with local development companies has been completed.
The design of the local authority initiative and the nature of work to be undertaken will require consultation with a range of stakeholders, including those bodies responsible for the delivery of other schemes funded by the Department of Social Protection. Development work on this new initiative has commenced with the local authorities. The method of allocating places, which is likely to be based on the geographic distribution of those persons meeting the criteria for the initiative, and the timetables for the development of pilots to inform the design of the scheme and the roll-out of the full initiative have yet to be agreed.
