I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 26 together.
In a situation of limited resources it is necessary, despite, the difficulties, to define priorities for action. In the Manpower area, my major priorities are to help the long term unemployed and early school leaver experiencing difficulty in entering the labour market.
As regards the long term unemployed, we have this year introduced a more structured approach to assisting people through the Jobsearch programme. As a result, a significant number of places on existing Manpower programmes is being reserved for Jobsearch participants identified by the Department of Social Welfare and referred to the National Manpower Service. To ensure that those unemployed for a longer term, benefit from the programme a live register qualification is essential.
As regards school leavers experiencing employment difficulties, my priority has been to maintain the assistance given under the social guarantee for youth with little or no qualifications. The main programmes are the skills foundation and workshops in AnCO. Deputies will be aware of the operation of these programmes and the benefits they offer to young people. I am concerned that claims that the agencies have stopped recruiting young people under 18 may reduce young people's motivation to come forward for these programmes. I would like to assure early or unqualified school leavers that they will continue to enjoy priority access to relevant programmes.
As far as employment schemes are concerned, Teamwork continues to make places available to young people under 18. While the social employment and enterprise schemes have never been open to persons under 18, a live register qualification was introduced to the employment incentive scheme from 2 June 1987 and the work experience programme has been suspended. The numbers of 16 to 18 year olds who have been given places on Manpower programmes since 1985 are as follows:
|
1987 to end Sept.
|
(full year) 1986
|
(full year) 1985
|
Work Experience Programme
|
2,600
|
3,380
|
4,949
|
Employment Incentive Scheme
|
965
|
3,354
|
4,000
|
YEA (including ACOT Certificate in Farming)
|
334
|
1,076
|
669
|
CERT
|
869
|
798
|
719
|
AnCO (estimates)
|
6,750
|
10,120
|
10,380
|
|
|
(9 months)
|
(9 months)
|
An age breakdown for Teamwork is not readily available and would take a very considerable amount of time to compile.