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Youth Work Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021

Thursday, 24 June 2021

Questions (341)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

341. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons who have been on the youth employment support scheme since it was established; if the findings of the internal review carried out on the scheme will be shared; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34097/21]

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Written answers

The Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) was introduced on 1st October 2018 and has been open to applications since. YESS targeted young jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment. The scheme aimed to provide jobseekers with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement. The scheme provided a supportive structure for participants, including case worker support for both placement hosts and jobseekers.

Since the scheme's inception, a total of 1,000 people have commenced a placement, with 50 jobseekers currently on YESS placements. 

The type of work experience undertaken by participants involved roles across a number of different sectors including community and voluntary, hospitality and food, ICT and telecoms, manufacturing, retail, sales and marketing, science and healthcare and construction. Recruitment to the scheme in the scheme was severely affected by Covid-19 from 2020, with fewer hosts advertising vacancies due to impact of COVID-19 public health restrictions on business operations and employment. 

An internal review of the first year of the YESS programme, from October 2018 to October 2019,  is underway.  The report of this review has not been finalised due to demands of other work on foot of the pandemic.  It is intended that once the new work placement programme commences in line with the Economic Recovery Plan, a full review and evaluation of YESS will be undertaken and made available.  It is anticipated that this will be finalised over the coming months.  

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