Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
418. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of young persons under 25 years of age who were on the youth employment support scheme in January 2020 and January 2021; the funding allocated to support young persons under 25 on the scheme in 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2989/22]
View answerThe Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) was introduced on 1st October 2018 and was targeted at young jobseekers aged between 18 and 24 who were long-term unemployed or who faced barriers to employment. Participation in the scheme was voluntary. 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, which was one of a number of measures under the National Youth Guarantee, provided a supportive structure for participants, including case worker support for both placement hosts and jobseekers. The scheme was open to host organisations operating in private, community and voluntary sectors.
A total of 1,016 people participated in the scheme over the period from 1st October 2018 until the scheme closed to new entrants on 12th July 2021 when it was incorporated into the new Work Placement Experience Programme when it was launched, as it offered an enhanced work experience opportunity for young people.
YESS participants were involved in a number of roles across 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 was negatively impacted by Covid-19 during 2020 and 2021, with fewer hosts advertising vacancies due to Covid restrictions and also the temporary suspension of placements due to social mobility and distancing requirements.
The Budget allocation for the programme in 2020 was €3.35m and in 2021 the figure was €2.44m.
In January 2020 there were 297 active participants on YESS with 59 closures and 46 new starts in the month. In January 2021 there were 131 active participants on YESS with 37 closures and 9 new starts that month.
When the YESS programme closed to new applicants in 12th July 2021 participants were offered the opportunity to transfer to WPEP and 14 participants availed of this option. The remaining participants completed their YESS placement with the last three participants completing their YESS placements in December 2021. To date 46 clients aged under 25 year-old's are active or approved for participation on WPEP.
The following table shows YESS participant activity for January 2020 and 2021.
|
YESS Claims |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Total Active YESS Participants in January |
297 |
131 |
|
January Starts |
46 |
9 |
|
January Finishers |
59 |
37 |
The following table shows YESS Budget Allocations for 2020 and 2021.
|
Year |
YESS Budget Allocation |
|
2020 |
€3,350 |
|
201 |
€2,440 |
