Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
509. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of complaints that have been received from participants on the work placement experience programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46518/21]
View answer513. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of employers who have been removed or banned from the work placement experience programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46522/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 509 and 513 together.
The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a key policy initiative under the Government's new national employment services strategy; Pathways to Work 2021-2025. WPEP is a funded work placement scheme to provide work experience for jobseekers who have been unemployed for more than six months, including time spent on the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP). Participation on WPEP is entirely voluntary. All participants are paid €306 per week plus any social welfare increases for qualified adults and children. The intention is to provide quality and valuable work experience to unemployed persons.
To date there have been no complaints received from participants in relation to the WPEP programme. While placements can be closed for a number of reasons and placements must satisfy certain criteria prior to being advertised, to date no employer has been banned from WPEP or removed for any other reason other than where a placement was closed. Placements are closed when the placement is filled, after the placement has been advertised for 28 days, or where requested by the host organisation.
Any complaints received relating to participation on the WPEP will be investigated in full by the Department's case officer as part of the ongoing monitoring of the programme and the individual placement.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
