Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
502. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons offered a placement on the gateway scheme who are under 26 years of age will be brought up to a full rate of jobseeker’s allowance; or if the reported €20 per week in additional income for those participating in the scheme will be added to the current reduced rate of payment for unemployed people under 26 years of age in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance. [13335/14]
View answer503. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons offered a placement on the gateway scheme who are in receipt of a partial jobseeker’s allowance payment will be brought up to a full rate of jobseeker’s allowance; or if the reported €20 per week in additional income for those participating in the scheme will be added to their current reduced rate of payment. [13336/14]
View answer504. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons signing for credited contributions will be allowed to participate in the gateway scheme. [13337/14]
View answer505. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection if additional payments to participants in the gateway scheme will be made by her Department or the participating local authority. [13338/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 502 to 505, inclusive, together.
Gateway is a work placement initiative which aims to improve the employability and maintain the work readiness of those who have been unemployed for 24 months or more. Similar to Tús, participants are selected by a random process conducted by the Department from those persons in receipt of a jobseeker’s payment for 24 months or more and currently in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance. The selected jobseekers are informed when they have been selected and, if they agree to participate, will have their contact details passed to the relevant county or city council.
Random selection for participation on Gateway is restricted to those who are currently on the live register and in receipt of a jobseeker’s allowance. Those who are signing for credits are not eligible for selection.
The current minimum rate of payment on Gateway and other DSP work placement programmes is €208 per week. In cases where the individual’s original rate of jobseeker’s payment is under €188 per week, they will be paid a weekly rate of €208. If their rate of jobseekers’ payment is over €188 per week, a €20 weekly top-up will apply. These amounts apply regardless of the age of the participant. There is no provision for additional payments to Gateway participants over and above these rates. However, it should be noted that the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has made €2m available to cover health and safety training and safety equipment etc as part of Gateway. I understand that this funding is being administered through Limerick Local Authority.
