Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2014
76. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have had their jobseeker's benefit or allowance reduced or suspended for refusing to take part in the gateway scheme. [19743/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraGateway is a work placement initiative for county and city councils. The initiative aims to improve the employability and maintain the work readiness of those who have been unemployed for 24 months or more. Similar to Tús, participants are selected by a random process conducted by the Department from those persons in receipt of a jobseekers allowance payment for 24 months or more. Responsibility for delivery of this initiative rests with each county and city council.
As of 28th April, 177 participants were working on and in receipt of a Gateway payment.
To date, some 3,550 jobseekers have been invited to participate on Gateway. Of these, a total of 32 jobseekers to date have had their jobseekers allowance claim closed on grounds of non-entitlement and a further 4 jobseekers were subject of a disqualification of payment of up to 9 weeks for failure to engage with an employment activation scheme.
