Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she has taken since becoming Minister to respond to the needs of the growing number of people on the live register. [34857/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Since the beginning of this year, there has been a significant increase in the number of people on the Live Register. In response to this, the Department has taken a number of measures to minimise delays in the processing of claims for jobseeker payments. These measures include the allocation of additional posts to local offices, extending the contracts of some temporary staff and providing additional overtime. These measures are kept under review.

I am very conscious of the social and economic impact of rising unemployment and I assure you that the Government is absolutely determined to assist the unemployed. The main welfare to work measure is the National Employment Action Plan. Currently, every person between the ages of 18 and 65 years who is approaching 3 months on the Live Register is referred to FÁS for interview with a view to assisting them enter or re-enter the labour market. Just over 30,000 people were referred to FÁS under the NEAP in the first six months of 2008. Of these 13,350 (44%) have left the Live Register.

A number of control initiatives have also been introduced to respond to the growing numbers on the Live Register. The EFT payment method will not be available to new claimants for unemployment payments. This means that they will have to attend at the post office weekly to collect their payment thereby eliminating the risk of people working abroad and returning monthly to sign on. In addition the activities of the Special Investigation Units (SIU) in the Department are being refocused to put an increased emphasis on the Live Register. This involves undertaking more regular interviewing of recipients of job seeker payments with particular emphasis on high risk categories.

Provision has been made in the National Development Plan, under the Social and Economic Participation Programme, for an Activation Programme over the lifetime of the Plan. The programme is aimed at all people of working age regardless of the circumstances that led the person to require income maintenance with some €50m. being invested in this area.

The main element of the Activation sub-programme is to expand the Department's facilitator service, to cover all parts of the State and with each facilitator having a defined work programme. Facilitators provide additional, more intensive assistance, for those who need it including people who have been identified by FÁS as needing further support. The facilitator programme is designed to be a targeted approach, involving active case management and the development of an individualised personal progression plan. The facilitator and individual will work together to identify the most appropriate method of progressing to training or employment. As part of the priority now placed on activation, the Department's facilitators are working closely with FÁS and other agencies at national and local level.

A particular priority is being placed on younger people signing on for the first time and people who have completed the Employment Action Plan process but who are still on the Live Register.

Over the summer months the Department conducted a targeted programme to encourage young people between 18 and 25 years of age who were signing on the Live Register for more that six months to gain additional skills and qualifications under the back to education scheme.

In response to the downturn in the construction industry sector and in recognition of the special difficulties faced by apprentices who are being laid off, the Department and FÁS are working together to facilitate such apprentices in finishing their apprenticeships and in obtaining necessary certification thereby enhancing employment prospects at home and abroad. In such cases, referral is made immediately to FÁS. FÁS have details of a number of employers seeking apprentices and will attempt to place apprentices with such employers where possible.

Finally, the Government has prioritised social welfare in the Budget, ensuring that increases in the basic rates of social welfare payments will be ahead of the projected rate of inflation and in line with the wage increases agreed by the social partners in the 2nd phase of the National Pay Agreement. In addition, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and FÁS the National Training and Employment Authority will continue to work closely together to address the needs of those on the Live Register and to assist them in