Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
893. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has considered supporting the introduction of returnships in partnership with employers to support women that have taken time out of work to raise their families or care for loved ones to re-enter the labour market through new education, training, and personal development programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32991/20]
View answerIn recognition of the importance of providing support to those who have been out of the workforce for a period, Budget 2020 made provision for new initiatives to support returners. The first reflection of this commitment was in the convening of coordinated dedicated events across the country as part of Jobs Week in March 2020. The first "Career Pathways for Returners" flagship event was hosted by my Department in Trinity College on Friday 6th March 2020, just before the Covid pandemic emergency. The event provided those who were considering re-joining the workforce with information on work placements, opportunities to upskill or retrain and offered them the opportunity to take the next step in their careers. Speakers presented on subjects such as motivation and reaching one's potential while others provided testimonials and personal stories on re-launching their careers. The event included opportunities to meet and speak with employers, some of whom had Returners Initiatives or "returnship" programmes. The aim of the event was to support potential returners by helping them to consider the opportunities available to them to map their route back to work into roles aligned to their needs, interests and personal potential. It was one of more than 20 such events convened on the day across the country.
The Government recognises the importance of continuing to access this pool of talent in order to provide employment opportunities and increase labour market participation levels for groups that are currently inactive or underrepresented in the labour force. We will continue to promote the supports available for workforce returners, be they men or women, including measures that assist people to upskill with a view to returning to work.
Once the immediate emergency demands of Covid-19 stabilise, my officers will resume work on planning initiatives to support returners. Building on our engagement with employers will be an important element of this process.
