Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2015
38. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons within the Tuam area, County Galway, who are currently on job activation schemes, detailed by type of scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8478/15]
View answerIn the first instance, the Government’s primary strategy to tackle unemployment in Tuam, as with the rest of the country, is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth.
However, the Government also recognises the need for additional measures to address unemployment in the interim while the economy recovers. This is the rationale behind the Government’s Pathways to Work Strategy which is being led by the Department of Social Protection.
Job activation programmes are an important part of these additional measures. Data on the number of participants in job activation programmes is not readily available for the Tuam area, but are available at the County level for most programmes. Table 1 provides a breakdown of participants as at end December 2014 for County Galway.
Table 1 Job Activation Programmes for County Galway
|
Programme |
As at end December 2014 |
Notes |
|
Back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) |
721 |
In receipt of payment as at end December 2014 |
|
Short-term enterprise allowance (STEA) |
25 |
In receipt of payment as at end December 2014 |
|
Part-time Job Incentive (PTJI) |
N/A |
Data is not available for county or local office level. 373 recipients nationally as at end Dec. 2014 |
|
TÚS |
496 |
|
|
JobBridge |
817 |
Total number from inception of scheme in July 2011. Includes 158 current placements and 659 finished placements. |
|
Community employment schemes (excluding supervisors) |
127 |
Covering 6 CE projects in Tuam. |
|
SOLAS (formerly FAS) full time training for unemployed people |
434 |
|
|
Back to education allowance (BTEA) |
1,453 |
Number of participants as at end Dec. 2014 |
|
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) |
N/A |
National estimates for VTOS are 5,000 per year. |
