Vol. 525 No. 4
64 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the deep concerns among local partnership companies and community development bodies with regard to the future of the back-to-work scheme, especially for the self employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24973/00]
The back to work allowance, introduced in 1993, is designed to encourage the long-term unemployed to return to the active labour work-force, either through employment or self-employment.
The scheme has been highly successful since its introduction and to date more than 72,000 people have participated. Currently there are more than 39,000 participants in the scheme, approximately half of whom are engaged in a wide range of self employment options.
I am not aware of deep concerns among partnership companies or community groups about the future of the scheme. The back to work allowance continues to be the cornerstone of the Department's employment support services.
I have recently commissioned an evaluation of the scheme and the report of the consultants has now come to hand. One of the issues which the consultants were asked to address was the continuing relevance of the scheme in its current format in the light of the changes in the labour market situation since its introduction in 1993 and also in the light of the impact of the minimum wage.
