asked the Minister for Labour the number of employers using the special employers' incentive scheme and his Department's training grants scheme; the number of employees employed in both of these schemes; the turnover of employees within the various companies throughout the country; if he is satisfied with the use being made of these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Departmental Employment Schemes.
19.
I am taking it that the Deputy's reference to the special employers' incentive scheme refers to the employment incentive scheme and the training grants scheme is taken to refer to the work experience programme.
Information on these two schemes is as follows:
Employment Incentive Scheme
Annual recruitment under the employment incentive scheme is running at a rate of 7,500 with about 6,000 employers participating in the scheme per annum.
Work Experience Programme
Throughput on the work experience programme in 1985 will be about 8,800 young persons with approximately 4,700 employers participating.
The Department are not aware of the turnover of employers within the various companies throughout the country. A major research programme would be necessary to ascertain this figure.
I am satisfied that both schemes are fulfilling their objectives. In fact, the annual limit of two recruitments per employer qualifying under the employment incentive scheme is being increased to four.