Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 February 2013
220. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in Westmeath who have so far applied for and are taking part in Tús and JobBridge programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7969/13]
View answerTús, the community work placement initiative which became operational in 2011, provides part-time work opportunities for those aged 18 and over, who are unemployed for more than a year. The purpose of Tús is the provision of quality work for those who are unemployed in order to break the cycle of unemployment and to improve a person’s opportunities in returning to the labour market.
To date, 142 participants and 5 supervisors/team leaders have completed or are currently serving in-work placements provided by community organisations across county Westmeath. As at 8 February 2013, 87 participants and 5 supervisors/team leaders were actively engaged on Tús. A person cannot apply to participate on Tús. Rather, all selection is undertaken by a random process conducted at local level by the Department, with the selection focussed on those on the Live Register for a year or more and in receipt of a Jobseeker’s payment.
The National Internship Scheme, JobBridge, was launched in 2011 to provide work experience placements for interns for a 6 or 9 month period. The aim of the scheme is to assist in breaking the cycle where jobseekers are unable to get a job without experience, either as new entrants to the labour market after education or training or as unemployed workers wishing to learn new skills. Applicants must be currently in receipt of, as their main payment, Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s credits, One Parent Family Payment or Disability Allowance and have been unemployed for a minimum period of 78 days in the preceding 6 months. To date, 352 participants have completed or are currently serving in placements in county Westmeath. As at 8 February 2013, 121 participants were actively engaged on JobBridge.
As part of the budget measures to provide 10,000 additional work placement, internship and training programme places, a further 2,500 placements will be made available under Tús in the coming months. The number of available places on JobBridge will also be increased by 2,500. This is in line with the commitments set out in the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work.
