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Job Initiatives

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 April 2014

Wednesday, 16 April 2014

Questions (26, 34, 42)

Mick Wallace

Question:

26. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the Gateway scheme the reasons participation in the initiative is mandatory rather than voluntary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17692/14]

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Mick Wallace

Question:

34. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Social Protection the research that was undertaken by her Department in advance of the introduction of the Gateway scheme to assess whether mandatory work schemes are effective in improving an unemployed person's prospects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17691/14]

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Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

42. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider the merit of expanding the Gateway scheme to local authority sports partnerships; if she will provide opportunities to those with a knowledge and experience of sports coaching and development who may wish to develop their experiences in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14993/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 34 and 42 together.

Gateway is part of a suite of initiatives being offered by the Department which are designed to bridge the gap between unemployment and re-entering the workforce. A budget of €19m has been earmarked for the initiative in 2014. Taken together, some 40,000 work placements will be provided in 2014 under the various schemes funded by the Department.

Additionally in 2014, jobseekers may access in excess of 30,000 full and part-time training and education opportunities and over 11,000 opportunities to pursue self-employment options – all on a voluntary basis. In the context of this level of provision, there is a good case to be made to pursue a policy of randomly selecting jobseekers who have been unemployed and not sought to access the range of opportunities provided by the Department and other agencies. Pathways to Work introduced a new code of rights and responsibilities whereby, in return for welfare support, jobseekers must actively seek employment or engage with employment or training services. The Social Welfare Acts have been strengthened to provide a number of sanctions if a jobseeker refuses without good cause or fails to avail of any reasonable offer of training or participation in a work placement. This is considered a necessary part of the efficient and effective functioning of any activation policy.

Deputies are fully aware of the positive benefits schemes like community employment, Tús and the rural social scheme have on both participants and the services they deliver to communities around the country and the wellbeing that results. In particular, I would highlight the personal benefits to the jobseeker of being able to engage in worthwhile work in their community borne out by their own testimonies and by evaluations conducted by implementing bodies. Gateway is modelled on these successful schemes with the same level of pay and similar conditions. In addition to providing short-term working opportunities for people who are unemployed, it will contribute to the management of the Live Register and act as a deterrent to those not eligible for welfare benefits. A pilot study is currently underway to develop voluntary access to Gateway. If this is successful, consideration will be given to earmarking a proportion of places in each county and city council area to provide for this form of recruitment.

Responsibility for delivery of this initiative rests with the individual county and/or city council and there is an overall target to provide for 3,000 placements by year end. While responsibility for local authority sports partnerships rests with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, I am advised by that Department that it has no objections to the placement of Gateway participants with these partnerships should that be the determination of the appropriate county or city council.

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