Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2013
23. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the proposals put forward by Novas Initiatives concerning the impact of a reduced social welfare payment on homeless young persons; if she will accept these proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43355/13]
View answerNovas Initiatives, in a submission to the Department, have raised issues in relation to reduced rates of jobseeker’s allowance for younger persons.
The reduced rates encourage young jobseekers to improve their skills and remain active in the labour market in order to avoid the risk of becoming long-term unemployed and will help them to progress into sustainable employment on a long-term basis. Where a person is in receipt of a reduced rate of jobseeker's allowance and he or she participates in a course of education, training a higher rate of €160 applies.
Similar issues to the ones raised by Novas Initiatives have been raised previously by Focus Ireland. Having regard to these issues approval has been given for a pilot community employment programme targeted at young persons in emergency accommodation. This pilot programme will be developed and run by Focus Ireland and is due to commence in 2013.
It is hoped that results from this pilot programme will inform wider policy development with regard to young persons in emergency homeless accommodation.
