Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is the same. Why not extend the CE programme to cover these opportunities whereby a specific programme with a training budget could use a method that works and has been proven to work, rather than creating a new scheme which is akin to Workfare? Is the Minister aware that an academic analysis by the Department of Work and Pensions in Britain, to which she referred earlier, questioned the effectiveness of Workfare, that is, forcing those on social welfare into compulsory work? After surveying international evidence from America, Canada and Australia, that report stated:

There is little evidence that Workfare increases the likelihood of finding work. It can even reduce employment chances by limiting the time available for job search and by failing to provide the skills and experience valued by employers. Subsidised transitional job schemes that pay a wage can be more effective in raising employment levels than work in benefit.

Will the Minister examine the compulsion aspect? Can she ensure that any scheme that is produced will have additionality in terms of training and job opportunities? Local authorities have a recruitment embargo in operation so there are no job prospects in the host organisations.

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