Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extent to which she proposes to improve or increase back to work incentives to take account of the current or expected economic situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25602/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of back to work incentives currently operated by her Department; the extent to which it is expected or intended to expand or improve on such schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25603/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.

The National Employment Action Plan (NEAP), operated jointly by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and FÁS, is the main welfare to work measure for jobseekers. Under the plan, all persons between the ages of 18 and 65 years who are approaching 3 months on the Live Register are identified by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and referred to FÁS for interview with a view to assisting them to enter or re-enter the labour market. The referral capacity under the plan has nearly doubled for 2009 from 6,500 cases per month to 12,250.

The NEAP process is fundamental in addressing the progression needs of those on the Live Register. It provides a stimulus to job search and affords an opportunity to explore, under professional guidance, the full range of employment and training services offered by FÁS. In addition, the Government is now providing, through FÁS, a total of 128,000 training and activation places for unemployed people this year. There are also some 147,000 places available in further education programmes in 2009. This is a substantial increase on the number of places available previously.

The recent supplementary budget outlined a joint approach to activation by the Departments of Social and Family Affairs, Enterprise Trade and Employment and Education and Science. I introduced a package of measures relating to the Department's two main employment support schemes, the back to work enterprise allowance and back to education allowance, in order to facilitate better access to these supports. The changes provided for a reduction in the qualifying period required for access to the back to work enterprise allowance (BTWEA) from 2 years to 12 months provided a person has an underlying entitlement to jobseeker's allowance. The qualifying period for the back to education scheme was also reduced.

I also introduced a new short term enterprise allowance scheme. Under this scheme someone who qualifies for jobseeker's benefit is being afforded the opportunity to commence self-employment immediately. I also introduced a new short term enterprise allowance scheme. Under this scheme someone who qualifies for jobseeker's benefit is being afforded the opportunity to commence self-employment immediately provided they have 104 contributions paid or have established entitlement to statutory redundancy. It is payable at the same rate and for the same duration as jobseeker's benefit.

In addition, the Department's locally based facilitators provide information on progression options available to people on social welfare. They work closely with FÁS and other agencies at national and local level to identify appropriate training and developmental programmes for social welfare recipients of working age to enhance the skills those individuals have and ultimately improve their employment chances as well as helping them to develop personally. This service was enhanced under the National Development Plan (NDP) Social and Economic Participation Programme. There are currently 60 facilitators in place, with a further 10 due for appointment, bringing the total to 70.

Apart from specific employment support and welfare to work initiatives, the social welfare system is highly responsive to the needs of employees in low-paid, casual or vulnerable employment. For example, people who are employed for up to three days in a week may claim a jobseeker's payment in respect of the remainder of the week, subject to being available for full-time work.

In addition, the Department's family income supplement scheme (FIS) provides cash support for employees on low earnings with families or those seeking to make the transition from welfare to work. This preserves the incentive to remain in employment in circumstances where the employee might only be marginally better off than if he or she were unemployed and claiming other social welfare payments. Take-up of the scheme has increased significantly in recent years with almost 43,000 new and renewal FIS claims in 2008, compared to almost 37,900 in 2007.

With the increasing numbers of people who are unemployed, the Government is continuing to develop and put in place new programmes to enhance the work experience and training opportunities for these individuals. Two such initiatives, the work placement programme and a pilot short time working training programme were announced recently . Under both initiatives, participants will continue to receive their existing social welfare entitlements from the Department of Social and Family Affairs while they are taking part in these innovative programmes.

The range and conditions for the Department's welfare to work initiatives will continue to be monitored in the light of changing economic circumstances.