John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of unemployed people referred to the National Employment Action Plan since the scheme began; the number who have entered employment as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15318/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) was introduced on a phased basis in September 1998 when the Department began referring all persons under 25 who were six months on the Live Register to FÁS for interview with a view to job placement or offer of training. As the NEAP progressed, the programme was extended to include other groups crossing nominated thresholds of employment. Currently persons aged 18 and under 64 years who are approaching three months on the Live Register are identified by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and referred to FÁS.

Over the period September 1998 to December 2006, 287,000 recipients of unemployment payments have been referred under the NEAP. While outcome data on the number of persons referred in 1998 and 1999 is not available the Department does have details of persons referred over the period 2000 to 2006.

Of the total (255,680) referred during the period 2000 to 2006 171,111 or 67% were interviewed by FÁS. Some people sign off prior to interview by FÁS. Of the 171,111 interviewed by FÁS between 2000 and 2006 50,874 or 30% were placed in employment, training or education. I do not have a breakdown of the number placed in employment for these years. However over the last 4 year FÁS interviewed 117, 682, overall 31,401 or 27% of those interviewed were placed in employment, training or education and of that 14 % or 16,549 were placed in employment.

People remain on the live register while engaged with FÁS under the NEAP until they take up offers of employment or training. If they do not attend for interview with FÁS, or having engaged with FÁS decline offers of employment or training, their cases are referred back to the social welfare local office for review to determine if they continue to satisfy the conditions for receipt of unemployment payments. I consider that National Employment Action Plan has played an important role in assisting unemployed persons enter or return to the labour force.