Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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5. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the rationale behind her decision to make mandatory the proposed new First Steps programme for disadvantaged young persons. [9401/15]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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As presented, the new youth development internship, First Steps, is basically a reincarnation of the JobBridge scheme which is targeted specifically at disadvantaged young people. Why is First Steps a mandatory scheme unlike the much promoted and voluntary JobBridge scheme?

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Under the Youth Guarantee implementation plan, the Department committed to developing a developmental internship scheme for young disadvantaged jobseekers. These young people would have faced difficulties, even during the boom period, in securing an interview, not to speak of a job. Deputy Ó Snodaigh and I represent similar parts of Dublin and he will be aware that throughout the boom, many of the young people in our constituencies did not have access to job opportunities.

The objective of First Steps is to encourage employers to open their doors to such young people and give them an opportunity to learn and develop basic work and social skills while on a placement in a real work scenario. To this end, the Department is canvassing employers to sponsor one or more disadvantaged young persons on an internship of between six and nine months' duration. It is intended that approximately 1,500 young people will benefit from this opportunity.

First Steps differs from JobBridge in that internships will not be advertised by employers. Instead, participants will be identified by the Department and placed with a sponsoring organisation. In addition, the work experience will comprise four days per week on the job compared to five days per week under JobBridge. All participants will receive pre-employment training and will be supported by a dedicated case officer from the Department and a mentor in the sponsoring organisation.

Given the nature of the opportunity to be provided and the commitment that is being asked of employers, it is not unreasonable to ask young persons who have been assessed as being suitable for a placement to take up the placement on offer. The Department, in identifying and assessing potential participants, will take care to ensure they are suited to the placements available and will pay due regard to any reasons that may be put forward by young persons as to why the placement is not appropriate in their circumstances.

The Deputy and I both know many young people who were left on the sidelines when the previous recession ended. Many young people in our constituencies became dependent on social welfare immediately after leaving school because they were not afforded any opportunities. This scheme is targeted at assisting disadvantaged young persons by giving them work experience and enabling them to progress into employment.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I know many young people who have been assisted in various ways over the years by good employers and teachers, whether on the Youthreach programme or in schools, colleges and small companies. My main problem with the First Steps scheme is that it is not voluntary in contrast to JobBridge, a scheme the Government repeatedly assures us is a voluntary scheme and which is also open to young persons aged 18 years and upwards. Young people will be selected for First Steps and while they may have access to supports, should they decide to leave the scheme as a result of a problem, their social welfare payments could be stopped or cut. This is a large stick with which to beat young people who are disadvantaged and struggling with major difficulties that will not disappear simply because they participate in the First Steps scheme.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy should examine the results of the successful pilot schemes in Ballymun, from which we are learning. Young persons who participate in the First Steps scheme will have supports, including a case officer to assist and provide support in finding employment. The scheme is a wraparound service targeted at the most disadvantaged young people and those who are most distant from the workforce. Supports, training, case officers and mentoring services will be provided to participants. The scheme is an excellent opportunity for young people to join the workforce, as has been demonstrated by the pilot schemes in Ballymun.

I acknowledge the Deputy's compliment in so far as Youthreach is an excellent service. During my time as chairman of the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, I was actively involved in Youthreach and other outreach projects.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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If the Minister of State believes the argument he had made, the logical step would be to remove from the First Steps scheme the punishment element that will apply to those who, for whatever reason, must leave the programme. This type of stick should not be available in any youth project.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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First Steps enjoys considerable support in the areas in which it has been trialled, especially among the wider families of participants. Those who are unemployed, as I was at one point, have a responsibility to seek employment. If a young person has a legitimate reason for not participating in the First Steps scheme, a case officer will be available to work closely with him or her. People who are unemployed need to engage with opportunities that become available. This new scheme has been introduced to help the most disadvantaged young people, a group with which Deputy Ó Snodaigh is very familiar. I expect to table questions to the Deputy in a different capacity at some point in future requesting that he expand First Steps to assist more young people in finding employment. I note also that his party leader has asked for elements of the JobBridge scheme to be expanded.