Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 January 2014
163. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection when her Department will introduce a scheme to allow jobseekers gain work experience with local authorities by helping cleansing departments and other Government Departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2014/14]
View answerGateway was introduced by the Department of Social Protection to deliver on the policy objectives set out in Pathways to Work and is designed to bridge the gap between unemployment and re-entering the workforce. Responsibility for delivery of this initiative rests with individual county and city councils. Gateway has a target to provide for 3,000 placements focusing on those who have been unemployed for 24 months or more. Participants are currently being selected by a random process conducted by the Department of Social Protection for recruitment by county and city councils.
Progress on the roll-out has been slower than anticipated. Delays in the main relate to the on-going staff restructuring processes of county and city councils, the need to engage with stakeholders and operational matters relating to securing resources, identifying work and supervisory cover as well as Garda vetting. So far just over 1,500 places have been identified in 29 councils in the initial phase of the rollout. Some 500 jobseekers are currently waiting Garda Vetting and will begin work with councils in the coming weeks. Despite the obstacles identified above, the initial placement of participants on Gateway commenced in Louth county council in early December with the first placements beginning in Limerick county and city councils on 20 January. County and city councils have given assurances of accelerating the recruitment process to fill all places identified and to meet the target of 3,000 placements at an early date.
