Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 June 2010

Wednesday, 9 June 2010

Ceisteanna (332, 333)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

332 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who have been successfully placed in work experience under the scheme announced in 2009; if a new tranche of placements will soon become available; and her views on a scheme whereby short work experience placements could be permissible with any employer certified as suitable and that welfare entitlements could be retained during the placement. [24313/10]

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

344 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who have been successfully placed in work experience under the scheme announced in 2009; if a new tranche of placements will soon become available; and her views on a scheme whereby short work experience placements could be permissible with any employer certified as suitable and that welfare entitlements could be retained during the placement. [24314/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 344 together.

As of 4th June 2010, a total of 1,116 people have started on a placement since the launch of the Work Placement Programme last year. In addition to these placements, there are currently a further 1,719 active Work Placement Programme opportunities being advertised on the FÁS Job Bank.

The duration of placements under the Work Placement has been reduced to a minimum of two months and extended to a maximum of nine months; so short work experience placements can be currently accommodated within the programme. FÁS has in place an application and approval process for determining whether an employer meets the criteria and is therefore suitable to be approved as a provider of placements under the programme.

Once they meet the eligibility criteria, clients in receipt of certain welfare payments may retain their welfare entitlements while on a placement, subject to the normal social welfare rules applying.