Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
329. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection when the report into the poverty impact assessment of reduced rates of jobseeker’s payments for those aged 18 to 25 as committed to in the Social Welfare Act 2019 will be published. [34085/21]
View answerMy Department has completed a Poverty Impact Assessment on the reduced rates of jobseekers for young people, which I am currently considering.
I am acutely aware that young people are often among the first to lose their job at times of difficulty. The “last-in/first-out” principle applies. During the Covid-19 pandemic this was exacerbated by the fact that the sectors that traditionally employ young people, retail and hospitality, are among the hardest hit. The Government recognised this and ensured that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment was made available to young people, including students who would not normally receive an unemployment payment.
One of our key priorities as restrictions are gradually lifted is to focus on getting young people back to work and assisting those young jobseekers who are looking to obtain their first job.
The recently announced Economic Recovery Plan has a clear target for employment to exceed pre-pandemic levels of 2.5 million people at work by 2024. Jobs and employment recovery is a key focus of the Plan, which commits to supporting people to secure and remain in sustainable and quality employment.
My Department is at an advanced stage in developing a new Work Placement Experience Programme for those out of work for at least six months, regardless of age.
In addition, a new Pathways to Work Strategy will shortly be launched and will set out how an expanded Public Employment Service will deliver effective services in a post-COVID labour market. This whole-of-Government strategy will seek to build upon existing support measures, with a particular focus on young jobseekers.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time for the Deputy.
