Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Employment Support Services.

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

1381 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will give further consideration to the submission from PLANET - the network of area-based partnerships - in relation to the back to work enterprise allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20978/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The back to work allowance scheme was reviewed last year in the light of economic and labour market changes and, in particular, of the drop in unemployment levels since the introduction of the allowance in 1993.

This review also took cognisance of the decline in take-up of the scheme and of an evaluation of the scheme by independent consultants who recommended restructuring of the scheme in the light of the transformed labour market situation, and the opportunities for people to get back into the labour market without the assistance of the scheme. The evaluation report recommended that the scheme be refocused on the longer-term unemployed, that the non-financial supports be enhanced, and that the overall numbers on the scheme be reduced.

Following on this review, the qualifying period for persons on unemployment benefit/assistance has been increased to five years with effect from 1 January 2003. Other social welfare qualifying payments are not affected by the change.

PLANET – the network of area-based partnerships – recently submitted proposals with a view to lowering the current qualifying period for the self-employed strand of the back to work allowance scheme. I have had a detailed examination carried out by my officials in relation to the case studies submitted but it does not appear that the arguments warrant a change in the current arrangements. I will continue to monitor the scheme in light of the changes in place since January to ensure that it is operating effectively and that it is reaching those who need help the most.

A review of the national employment service is currently taking place. In addition, an inter-agency group has been conducting a review of all labour market programmes under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I believe it would be appropriate to await the outcome of these deliberations before any further adjustments to the scheme might be considered.