Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 1

Written Answers. - Employment Incentive Scheme.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

34 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline the total number of persons each year placed in employment under the employment incentive scheme since the establishment of the scheme; the total expenditure by the Exchequer each year; the total budget allocation in the Estimates each year including 1992, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Frank Crowley

Ceist:

87 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for Labour if he will give details of, (1) the number of people assisted through the employment incentive scheme, each year since its inception, (2) the total funds provided under this scheme in the 1991 Estimates and (3) the total funds provided in each of the years 1988 to 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Labour (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 87 together.

The data requested has been prepared in the form of a tabular statement which I will circulate in the Official Report.

The employment incentive scheme commenced in 1977. Many changes have been made over the years in the scheme and as a result the expenditure figures for the various years are not strictly comparable. The scheme was administered directly by my Department up to and including 1987 and the Exchequer expenditure was therefore the cash cost of the scheme with any ESF aid being accounted for as Appropriations-in-Aid in the Department's Vote. FÁS assumed responsibility for the scheme from January 1988 and the Exchequer figures since then represent the net cost of the scheme after provision is made for the ESF assistance going directly to FÁS. In respect of the years 1988 to 1991, inclusive, the scheme attracted £7 million approximately ESF aid.

Following an evaluation of the scheme in 1987, it was decided to limit participation to the long term unemployed, early school leavers and other disadvantaged groups. However, the purpose of the scheme is still to encourage the recruitment of additional employees by employers. The rates of subsidy payable at present are £60 for the long term unemployed and £45 for the other categories and are payable for 39 weeks.

Employment Incentive Scheme

Details of Recruitment and Exchequer Expenditure

Year	Agency Responsible	No. of Persons Recruited	Exchequer Expenditure
			£m
1977	Department of Labour	2,698	1.815
1978	Department of Labour	10,410	7.000
1979	Department of Labour	6,969	4.000
1980	Department of Labour	6,747	4.110
1981	Department of Labour	3,446	2.000
1982	Department of Labour	5,527	2.581
1983	Department of Labour	5,870	2.341
1984	Department of Labour	5,579	1.456
1985	Department of Labour	8,162	4.123
1986	Department of Labour	10,159	6.174
1987	Department of Labour	5,643	5.270
1988	FÁS	3,435	1.103
1989	FÁS	3,315	1.279
1990	FÁS	2,257	2.464
1991	FÁS	2,289	1.300
1992	FÁS		1.178