Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 November 2013
26. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which she has responded to the criticism from the OECD, European Commission and IMF regarding the lack of action relating to labour activation measures here; the number of persons that have been placed in full-time employment as a result of these measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50829/13]
View answerAll of the bodies referred to are supportive of the labour market activation measures and institutional reforms being undertaken by Ireland. Moreover, while they have on occasions raised questions about the pace at which reforms are being enacted, the most recent troika review has acknowledged that the main reforms – the roll-out of INTREO, the P300 project to reallocate 300 staff of the Department to casework duties, and the preparations for contracting out of certain employment services – are being implemented as rapidly as possible.Given the wide range of measures involved – ranging across training, education, employment and work experience programmes as well as the reform of employment service and welfare delivery, it is not possible to identify the number of people placed in full time employment as a result. Information can however be given in relation to certain of the targets set for activation measures under Pathways to Work.
For example, a target was set that, of the 180,800 people who were on the live register and fully unemployed for over a year at the beginning of 2012, 75,000 of these would move into employment by the end of 2015. By the end of June 2013, 30,600 of this group were known to have moved into employment. Of these, 21,900 had entered full-time employment and left the live register, and 8,800 had entered part-time employment. As there can be some time lag in the reporting of new entries to employment by the relevant employers, it is likely that these figures will increase retrospectively as further records become available. Equally, the Deputy will be aware of the success of certain programmes in helping participants find jobs. For example, evaluation results indicate that 61% of leavers from JobBridge find employment within 5 months of leaving their internship.
