Vol. 417 No. 1
85 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Labour if he will seek an expansion in the proportion of EC Structural Funds allocated for intervention programmes for the long term unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
For the period 1989-93 the amount of assistance approved for Ireland, specifically for Objective 3 of the Structural Funds i.e. combating long term unemployment, was IR£71.04 million. These funds are being spent on programmes of linked work and training, the training of women wishing to return to work, of handicapped people over 25, and of certain marginalised groups. In addition, assistance of IR$24.38 million was approved for the social employment scheme for the period to the end of 1991. The eligibility of SES-type schemes for Structural Fund assistance expired at the end of 1991.
The long term unemployed would also benefit from ESF supported training and employment programmes aimed at supporting industry and services.
As the Deputy will be aware, in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, the Government agreed to institute an area-based response to the problem of long term unemployment. Progress has been made in co-operation with the social partners, and discussions are taking place with the EC Commission with a view to getting a global grant from the EC for the purpose of promoting local enterprise and development. I can say that the response of the Commission has been very positive.
It is a matter of regret for me that the social employment scheme is no longer eligible for ESF assistance and in the reform of the Structural Funds, post-1993, I intend to press for the reinstatement of SES-type programmes for eligibility.
I am sure the Deputy will agree that the problem of re-integrating the long term unemployed is a difficult one, especially in a period of high general unemployment. The problem is not simply a shortage of EC finances. It is often difficult to get long term unemployed persons to go on training courses, even when the courses are specially provided for them.
The discussions on the expansion of the EC Structural Funds for the post-1993 period have just commenced in the Council of Ministers. The Government will be pressing for a substantial increase in the funds for the less developed member states and I am confident that we can secure a significant increase for the long term unemployed.
