Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
34. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection her strategy to link jobseekers and employers as a means to address labour shortages in the economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5381/22]
View answerLast July I launched the Government’s national employment services strategy ‘Pathways to Work 2021 – 2025’, which outlines the Government’s strategy to support those who have lost jobs, or who are otherwise unemployed, find new jobs. The second strand of the Pathways strategy, ‘Working for Employers,’ focuses on helping employers hire workers and to encourage recruitment of unemployed jobseekers.I am acutely aware of reports of labour and skill shortages in some sectors and I know there is particular concern in the construction, transport, hospitality, ICT and retail sectors. It is, however, important for employers to be aware that, alongside these skills shortages, there remains a pool of labour available with approximately 163,500 people on the Live Register and 80,000 on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment as of last week. While many of those on PUP are now returning to work with the full re-opening of the economy, some will remain unemployed post COVID. My priority is to support all unemployed persons find jobs.Under Pathways to Work 2021-2025, Intreo is strengthening its engagement with employers and supporting them to recruit unemployed jobseekers. Actions include:
- Develop and implement a promotional campaign to increase employer awareness and take-up of the available supports.
- Host a series of employer roadshows around the country to showcase examples of how employers can, and have benefitted, from the employment supports available. I intend to schedule these roadshows over the coming months.
- Host 150 Job Promotion Events (virtual or in person) each year to showcase employment opportunities and to facilitate the introduction of employers and jobseekers.
- Develop, with the support of the Labour Market Advisory Council sub-group on employer engagement, a new employer relations strategy to further strengthen linkages with employers.
- Undertake regular surveys of employers’ assessment of public employment and further education and training services to help identify employer needs/opinions and track their satisfaction with the services.
Under Pathways, Government is also investing in a range of training, reskilling and work experience programmes to assist job seekers who need to re-train or up skill to avail of employment opportunities now available in the labour market. The Department of Social Protection, through Intreo, provides a range of services and supports to employers to recruit unemployed jobseekers, including the enhanced JobsPlus recruitment subsidy for employers who recruit jobseekers, and the JobsIreland & EURES recruitment portals.I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
