Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 5

Written Answers. - Employment Opportunities.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

53 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to difficulties which people over the age of 40 experience in obtaining employment in view of the perception of some employers of the abilities of older employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11055/95]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I am aware of the difficulties being experienced by older long term unemployed persons in obtaining employment and consequently my Department has put in place a number of measures to assist such persons in obtaining employment.

The FÁS Community Employment (CE) Programme provides temporary work experience together with some training for long term unemployed people and other special categories, the purpose of which is to assist those concerned in obtaining mainstream employment. In recognition of the difficulties being experienced by older long term unemployed people in obtaining employment, persons over 45 years of age who are long term unemployed and who live in a local development area may participate on CE for up to three years.

In addition, the new Local Employment Service (LES), which is currently being set up, is specifically targeted at those who are long term unemployed and who would not otherwise obtain employment. Under LES a comprehensive guidance, counselling and placement service, capable of responding to the specific needs of individuals, will be provided and should have a considerable impact in assisting the older long term unemployed back into the workforce.

Legislation administered by my Department also makes special provision for the protection of older workers. The unfair dismissals legislation, which provides protection for employees from being unfairly dismissed, specifies that dismissal on grounds of age will be regarded as being automatically unfair and provides redress, including reinstatement, for employees dismissed on grounds of age.

The Redundancy Payments Acts make special provision for the protection of workers aged 41 or over by ensuring that they receive higher compensation than that paid to younger workers if they are made redundant. Under these Acts an employee who is over 41 years of age is entitled to statutory redundancy based on a full week's pay for each year of employment whereas an employee who is between the age of 16 and 41 is entitled to statutory redundancy based on a half week's pay for each year of employment.

I should also mention that legislation which is currently being developed by my colleague, the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, will take account of the need to protect older workers from discrimination in employment, including discrimination in relation to access to employment. That legislation, which is due to be published later this year, will prohibit discrimination on a wide range of grounds including age.