Finian McGrath
Ceist:16. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to deal with the long-term unemployed on the northside of Dublin. [17466/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 16 April 2014
Ceisteanna (16)
Freagraí scríofa
In the first instance, the Government’s primary strategy to tackle long-term unemployment in the Dublin North region, as with the rest of the country, is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth. However, the Government also recognises the need for additional measures to address long-term unemployment in the interim while the economy recovers. This is the rationale behind the Government’s Pathways to Work Strategy which is being led by my Department.
As part of the Pathways Strategy, the Dublin North Activation and Employer Engagement Strategy has been developed which adopts a multi-faceted, pro-active approach to employment support programmes in order to assist Jobseekers re-enter the workforce. There have also been a range of new initiatives undertaken across the Division, including Pathways to Employment, Education and Training Fairs, Recruitment events for individual employers and initiatives specifically aimed at tackling Youth Unemployment.
With reference to the Pathways Fairs, several hundred jobseekers are invited to the events, at which they are presented with details on the types, and the range of progression opportunities that are available, from education, training, through work-experience, internships and employment. C.V. “clinics” are also typically available on the day. Our experience is that employers are increasingly using these events as a vehicle to recruit.
Further events will be held in every Intreo Centre/Local Office area during 2014. A Youth Guarantee Showcase Event was held in Ballymun Civic Centre on 27th March 2014. A Pathways to Employment, Education and Training Fair was held in Erin’s Isle GAA club on 10 April 2014 for 1000 invited claimants from Finglas and neighbouring areas. The event, which was organised by Finglas Intreo Centre, was also attended by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD.
In a further initiative, breakfast briefing sessions were co-hosted with the Chamber of Commerce at which Departmental managers highlighted the advantages of recruiting from the Live Register, particularly the Long Term Unemployed, e.g. Jobsplus Scheme.
Furthermore, Employment Services in Dublin North have hosted a number of large-scale recruitment events to cater for the recruitment needs of individual employers. Two events were held in July and November 2013 for Green Shield Security Employment Services, each of which resulted in the recruitment of over 60 jobseekers.
In addition, my Department is currently in the process of evaluating tenders for JobPath, the Government’s new labour market activation service aimed specifically at the long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed. There will be a separate JobPath contract issued specifically for the Dublin region.
Question No. 17 answered with Question No. 13.