Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 June 2021
153. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection the funding that will be provided to deliver an additional 3,000 places on State employment schemes outlined in the Economic Recovery Plan 2021. [32269/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined under the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, which was launched on June 1st 2021, a central focus of the recovery process will be on helping people get back to work, through the provision of employment support, additional training and work placement opportunities.
Central to achieving this objective will be the Government’s forthcoming national employment services strategy, ‘Pathways to Work 2021-2025’, which is currently being finalised by my Department By increasing labour market supports, and through the provision of employment support, activation and skills opportunities, the Pathways to Work strategy will act as a key delivery mechanism of the Economic Recovery Plan’s second pillar ‘Helping People Back into Work’.
My Department provides a range of social employment and training programmes that are targeted at long-term unemployed jobseekers. These supports include Community Employment and Tús. The aim of both schemes is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people, by providing work experience opportunities for participants. CE also provides valuable training opportunities for participants.
As part of the recovery efforts, my Department has committed to providing an additional 3,000 places on these State Employment Schemes. The additional places will be distributed between CE and Tús and will provide additional valuable opportunities for long-term unemployed persons. They will also support CE and Tús schemes in providing further services to local communities. The estimated cost of an additional 3,000 CE and Tús participants for a full year is €50.4 million, based on the current payment rate which includes participant payroll, supervisory costs, training and associated administration costs.
I will continue to support and improve these programmes for the benefit of the long-term unemployed including those who have been adversely affected by the pandemic.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
