Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Based on the latest information available, 49,300 people from the live register were referred to FÁS in the period January to November 2007. Of these, over 7,000 had been placed in jobs, training or education by the end of December 2007. This represents over 14% of the total referred. A further 16,900, approximately, left the live register at the end of December 2007. In total, therefore, nearly 24,000 of those referred to FÁS had left the live register by the end of the year.

All new claimants are currently identified for referral on reaching three months on the live register. Those referred remain on the live register while engaged with FÁS until they take up offers of employment or training. I am satisfied that the employment action plan provides an effective structure for dealing with the progression needs of those on the live register. It provides a stimulus to job search and affords an opportunity to explore, under professional guidance, the full range of employment and training services offered by FÁS.

The Department also provides other support services to assist unemployed people, particularly the long-term unemployed, lone parents and sickness related welfare recipients to return to the active labour market either by taking up employment or becoming self-employed. At present, some 40 facilitators provide these services.

Provision has been made in the national development plan for a social and economic participation programme which will build on these activities. The programme is aimed at all people of working age on social welfare payments. The Department will shortly commence recruiting some 30 additional facilitators who, together with the existing facilitator network, will have responsibility for implementing the programme at local level. The programme will build on the Department's existing experience and relationship with the people concerned, in co-operation with other relevant service providers such as FÁS, VECs, the HSE and other local agencies.

The Department has also secured funding, under the European Social Fund, for a project aimed at developing a systematic employment strategy based on individual case management of people on disability welfare payments. The project will be implemented initially in 2008 in County Westmeath with a view to mainstreaming at national level following a review and evaluation. I am satisfied the current structures and new measures outlined significantly increase the prospects of progressing claimants off welfare.

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