asked the Minister for Labour the number of persons employed at the end of December 1985 in each county under the social employment scheme; and if he intends to allow more persons under 25 years of age, who are in receipt of unemployment assistance, to participate.
Written Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.
439.
Statistics relating to the social employment scheme are only compiled at present on the basis of National Manpower Service regions. Participation rates by region at the end of December 1985 are set out in the following table. One of the considerations in formulating the social employment scheme was to minimise the cost to the Exchequer. Allowing persons under 25 years to participate would not be consistent with this objective.
The Deputy will be aware that the employment needs of under-25s are catered for in a number of ways. Examples include my Department's Teamwork scheme, and CERT training courses, many of which are targetted at young people, the activities of the Youth Employment Agency and employment schemes of the National Manpower Service, particularly the work experience programme.
|
Region |
Counties included |
Projects |
Participants |
|
East |
Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Meath |
367 |
927 |
|
South-East |
Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary (SR) |
162 |
852 |
|
South-West |
Cork, Kerry |
253 |
1,178 |
|
Mid-West |
Limerick, Clare, Tipperary (NR) |
115 |
433 |
|
West |
Galway, Mayo |
236 |
805 |
|
North-West |
Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal |
76 |
443 |
|
North East |
Louth, Cavan, Monaghan |
91 |
446 |
|
Midlands |
Westmeath, Longford, Roscommon, Laois, Offaly |
117 |
417 |
|
Total |
1,417 |
5,501 |