Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 November 2018
167. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the roll-out of the youth employment support scheme will come into effect; if the scheme can guarantee the inclusion of persons experiencing homelessness or who have international protection and are moving out of direct provision with no recourse to family or financial supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46020/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) has been open to applications since Monday 1st October 2018.
YESS is targeted at young jobseekers aged 18-24 years of age who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment. The scheme aims to provide jobseekers with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement. The scheme will provide a supportive structure for participants, including case worker support for both Placement Hosts and jobseekers.
While participation on the YESS is wholly voluntary for both parties involved, there are certain qualifying and eligibility conditions that both Placement Hosts and jobseekers have to satisfy.
For a jobseeker to participate on the YESS, they need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- they must be aged between 18 and 24 and
- have been out of work and in receipt of a qualifying payment for at least 12 months, or
- if unemployed for less than 12 months, be considered by a case officer to face a significant barrier to work.
The list of qualifying payments for participation on the scheme include; Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker's Transition Payment, Disability Allowance, Blind Person’s Pension or Supplementary Welfare Allowance. The scheme does not guarantee inclusion for any jobseekers, other than those who satisfy the necessary criteria and who meet the scheme qualifying conditions. Persons who are experiencing homelessness or that have international protection and are moving out of direct provision will need to be in receipt of a relevant payment and satisfy all other scheme related conditions to be eligible to participate.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
