Joe Walsh
Ceist:10 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on the recent NESF report on long-term unemployment initiatives. [10378/96]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - NESF Report.
The NESF report, Opinion No. 3, sets out the forum's views on the measures aimed at tackling the problem of long-term unemployment which were announced by the Government in the budget earlier this year.
In general terms, the report welcomes the broad thrust of the decisions taken by the Government in this area in that they represent an important step towards the development of a coherent and integrated approach to tackling long-term unemployment.
In so far as my Department is concerned, the report acknowledges the significant advances which have been made in a number of areas, including the extension of the thresholds governing qualification for family income supplement; the proposed revision in the manner in which earnings from employment will be assessed for unemployment assistance purposes; the increased number of places to be made available on the back to work allowance scheme; and the decision to allow for the retention of child dependant allowances for the first 13 weeks of employment by the long-term unemployed.
The report also supports my intention to further refine and develop the prowork innovations introduced in the budget in the light of the recommendations contained in the final report of the Expert Working Group on the Integration of the Tax and Social Welfare Systems which will be published in the near future.
The report expresses reservations about some specific aspects of the measures announced in the budget and believes they will not, of themselves, be sufficient to achieve significant reductions in the number of long-term unemployed. The Government is, nonetheless, aware that the problem of long-term unemployment is not one capable of being resolved overnight and is, accordingly, fully committed to the further development of opportunities for the long-term unemployed to share in the benefits of our economic growth.
Given that there are now more long-term unemployed than when the Government came to office, will the Minister accept the critical conclusions in the report? For example, it states that the measures will require a greater push and direction at political level — obviously this is not being done — that the economy is performing well, that a unique opportunity is being lost and that the Government should embark on a more decisive programme. What specific measures are the Government taking to reduce the number of long-term unemployed?
I do not accept the dismal picture of the long-term unemployed painted by the Deputy.
It is a fact.
I did not paint it, the report paints it.
The Government fully recognises the importance of tackling the problem of long-term unemployment and the report welcomes the broad thrust of the measures taken by us in the area of social welfare reform, the refocusing on community employment, the development of wholetime job options, etc. The NESF believes that further radical measures are required to reduce the unacceptably high level of long-term unemployment, and the Government also accepts this. The Government and the Minister fully appreciate the magnitude of this problem which did not arise over the past 18 months but which has existed for a considerable period. This unacceptable problem is not in the interests of the economy and the Government introduced a number of measures specifically aimed at reducing the number of long-term unemployed. The schemes to which I referred are designed to deal with this serious social and economic problem.
Will the Minister accept that the NESF, which was established by the Government, told the Government it will have to show greater political resolve and commitment in dealing with the long-term unemployed and accord sufficient attention and priority to this matter? Nothing is being done to deal with this problem and it is of little use to the long-term unemployed——
Questions, please.
——to be told by Ministers or Ministers of State that priority is being given to them, particularly as there are now more people on the live register than there were 12 months ago. I did not paint this dismal picture; it was painted by the NESF in its damning report on the Government's inaction on the issue of unemployment.
It is not a damning report.
Would the Minister call it a glowing report?
It recognises the important work carried out by the Government in tackling the problem of long-term unemployment.
It calls for greater political resolve.
The report also recognises the measures put in place and augmented over the past 18 months.
What measures?
This is a further indication that the Government regards this as a serious problem.
Is that why more people are now unemployed than when the Government came to office?
If the Deputy wishes. I will outline the series of successful measures put in place by the Government.
Is that why more people are now unemployed than when the Government came to office?
For example, the back-to-work allowance scheme has provided places for 13,000 people over the past 18-20 months. This is a successful and significant achievement by any standards.
That scheme was introduced by Deputy Woods. What measures have the Government taken?
Order, please.
The scheme was introduced by Deputy Woods and it has been augmented, improved and updated by the Government, with, I am sure, the support of Deputy Woods.
Absolutely, but we are looking for initiatives.
The report recognises this as a clear indication of the Government's positive commitment to ensuring that the serious problem of long-term unemployment is dealt with.
A lost opportunity.