Vol. 553 No. 2
108 Ms Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in regard to the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government, the specific steps and proposals there are for new supports for those experiencing or likely to experience employability barriers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13650/02]
A new high supports process, as envisaged under the PPF and as provided for in An Agreed Programme for Government, has been agreed following extensive consultations with the social partners under the aegis of the PPF Standing Committee on the Labour Market. This process is intended to target and provide appropriate supports for those people, who because of age, literacy or other barriers are unlikely to succeed in getting and keeping a job in the open labour market.
Following the recent conclusion of detailed discussions with the then Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs and FÁS on matters relating to implementation I hope to be in position to announce the launch of this new initiative in the near future.
