Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the negotiations he has had with the Department for Social and Family Affairs on new initiatives to encourage people off the live register, particularly the medium and long term unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8494/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the main policy instrument to encourage people off the Live Register is the National Employment Action Plan Preventive Strategy. The Preventive Strategy, which was first introduced in 1998 and rolled out nationwide in subsequent years involves a more systematic engagement with the unemployed. On reaching a three month threshold on the Live Register, each individual aged between 18 and 64 years is referred by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to FÁS where they are called in for interview and assessment.

Specifically, in regard to the Deputy's question, it is not clear what new initiatives he is referring to. I am assuming that it is the proposed Social and Economic Participation Programme which is being developed by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. This programme, for which there is provision in the National Development Plan, is aimed at all people of working age regardless of the circumstances that led them to require income maintenance and not just those on the Live Register. I understand that this programme will build on the existing experience in the Department of Social & Family Affairs and the relationship they have with the people concerned and will include co-operation with other relevant service providers such as FÁS, VECs, HSE and other local agencies. I also understand that the vision of the new programme is of a single transparent system with a primary focus on the customer and a route map starting at the first point of engagement by all clients of the Department of Social & Family Affairs.

I fully support this initiative insofar as it should assist progression towards gainful employment for many who might not otherwise come within the parameters of existing supports. In particular I welcome the possibility of an initial intervention of this kind which should help in directing clients to the most appropriate support for their needs at an early stage. My focus is to continue to attempt to get as many people as possible of working age involved in a process of education, training or whatever is required to progress towards employment.

I can assure the Deputy that a high degree of co-operation already exists at both policy and operational level between my Department, FÁS and the Department of Social & Family Affairs. Senior officials from my Department hold regular joint meetings with officials from the Department of Social & Family Affairs, with officials from FÁS also present as appropriate. Our Departments and FÁS work closely together to ensure that those on the live register receive help and guidance in accessing the range of training and employment supports provided by FÁS and this co-operation will continue in the context of the introduction of the Social and Economic Participation Programme.