The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness provides for an overall appraisal of active labour market programmes, commonly referred to as ALMPs. The ALMPs review will be undertaken by my Department under the auspices of the PPF standing committee on the labour market, which includes representatives from the social partners, FÁS, and Departments.
My Department is engaged, under the auspices of the standing committee, in the development of a new high supports process for persons who are unable to secure employment due to personal barriers such as age health, literacy and numeracy factors. This high supports process, which is a priority, is at an advanced stage of consideration and will be completed as soon as possible following publication of the ESRI's employability study into the management of the live register being undertaken on behalf of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. These matters are expected to be completed shortly, enabling work on the review of ALMPs to then be commenced by my Department and progressed within the standing committee. A detailed timetable for the review, including a deadline for completion, will be agreed with the standing committee.
