Richard Bruton
Question:435. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if the work placement scheme will continue during 2022; and if so, the terms on which it will be made available. [47538/21]
View answerTuesday, 5 October 2021
Questions (435)
Written answers
I was very pleased to launch the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) in July last. WPEP is a key policy initiative under the Government's new national employment services strategy; Pathways to Work 2021-2025. This sets out the national framework for activation and employment supports to assist persons, whose employment has been adversely affected by COVID, back to work, while continuing to support those who were unemployed pre-pandemic to find jobs.
WPEP is a funded work placement scheme to provide work experience for 10,000 jobseekers that have been unemployed for more than six months, including time spent on the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP). Participation on WPEP is entirely voluntary. WPEP provides quality and valuable work experience to unemployed persons. Work placements are recognised internationally as being effective in assisting jobseekers find new jobs by breaking the cycle of ‘no experience’ ‘no job’ - where the lack of work experience limits jobseekers opportunities when seeking employment. This is one of the measures recommended by the Labour Market Advisory Council for inclusion in the new Pathways Strategy.
Payments to participants will be €306 per week plus increases for qualified adults and children. Underlying entitlement to secondary benefits (such as fuel allowance, Christmas bonus) are not affected by participation The WPEP rate of payment per hour equates to €10.20 per hour, which is equivalent to the national minimum wage for 30 hour(s) a week placement. This rate, plus personal allowances, is paid to all participants, regardless of age. All placements will provide training opportunities and in particular, participants will be provided with opportunities to undertake accredited training as part of the programme. Options include a new QQI accredited work placement award which will be delivered by the Education and Training Boards at levels 3, 4 and 5.
It is anticipated the WPEP will run for two years from 2021 and will therefore continue throughout 2022. Full details regarding WPEP terms and conditions can be found in the operational guidelines located on the government website at gov.ie - Operational Guidelines: Work Placement Experience Programme (www.gov.ie).
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.