Education & Social Protection Committee to examine issues surrounding the short-term unemployed

27 January 2015

Appearing before the Committee will be representatives from the Department of Social Protection and the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed.

‘Mapping the journey for people who are short-term unemployed – report on phase one of the Intreo Project’ will be discussed with a view to analysing how the Intreo Service might best be utilised to tackle the challenges facing the short-termed unemployed. This will be discussed by representatives from the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed and the Department of Social Protection. Formally launched in 2012, Intreo is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports. It is designed to provide a more streamlined approach, aiming to offer practical, tailored employment services and supports for jobseekers and employers alike.

Committee Chair, Joanna Tuffy, TD, said: “A quick re-entry to employment is the preferred situation for all those in unemployment, due to the fact that if short-term unemployment is not tackled, it can and often does lead to long-term unemployment. The proactive approach adopted by Intreo to keeping unemployed people engaged in the range of employment and training opportunities is in the interests of those people and their communities, and a necessary part of the focus on reducing unemployment. This report provides a timely opportunity for the Committee to consider how well Intreo is serving unemployed people, and to consider how the potential of the service can be fully realised.”

The Committee will also hear a presentation by Camara Ireland on its work relating to information technology in schools. Camara Ireland is the Irish hub of Camara Education Limited, which is a registered Irish Charity. The organisation aims to deliver high quality education through technology and training to schools, community groups and any other organisations with an education focus that work with disadvantaged and under-resourced communities.

The meeting will start in Committee Room 3, Leinster House, tomorrow, Wednesday, 28th of January 2015 at 1pm. Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

Ends

Media Enquiries:
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Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 3427/ M: +353 86 4100 898
nuala.walsh@oireachtas.ie

Committee Membership:

Chair: Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

Deputies:   

James Bannon (Fine Gael); Ray Butler (Fine Gael); Catherine Byrne (Fine Gael); Ciaran Cannon Fine Gael; Joan Collins (People Before Profit); Michael Conaghan (Labour); Clare Daly (Independent); Jim Daly (Fine Gael); Derek Keating (Fine Gael); Charlie McConalogue (Fianna Fáil); Jonathan O Brien (Sinn Fein); Willie O'Dea (Fianna Fáil); Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Sinn Féin); Brendan Ryan (Labour); Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

Senators:   

Jim D’Arcy (Fine Gael); Gerard P Craughwell (Independent); Marie Moloney (Labour); Mary Moran (Labour); Averil Power (Fianna Fáil); Mary-Louise O'Donnell (Independent)