Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 181: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people on jobseekers benefit who have been referred to FÁS for interview to date in 2009; the age-profile of those being referred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39794/09]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 182: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views that some people being referred to FÁS by her Department are unlikely to upskill and find alternative employment due to their age or education to date; the way she plans to help these people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39795/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.

The National Employment Action Plan, operated jointly with FÁS, is the main activation measure for jobseekers. Under the plan, all persons between the ages of 18 and 65 years who are in receipt of jobseekers allowance or jobseekers benefit and approaching 3 months on the Live Register, are identified by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and referred to FÁS for interview with the aim of assisting them to enter/re-enter the labour market.

In the period January to end of August 2009 (the latest date for which figures are available), a total of 55,883 persons were referred to FÁS. The reporting system does not provide a breakdown of the numbers referred between those on jobseekers benefit and those on job seekers allowance. A breakdown of the numbers referred by age is provided in the table below.

*An age breakdown is not available for this group

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 jobseekers payments. There is a statutory obligation on recipients of jobseekers payments to be available for and genuinely seeking full time employment.

People, who, for valid reasons, are unable to avail of the opportunities for placement in employment, training or education provided by FÁS, continue to receive payment. In such cases, the Department's facilitator service is available to assist them in identifying barriers to participation and exploring alternative progression routes. Facilitators liaise closely with social welfare customers in order to assess and determine their needs and arrange, through direct provision or jointly with other agencies, appropriate training and developmental programmes. In addition, there is a range of employment support schemes available from the Department of Social and Family Affairs to facilitate people to return to education or to commence self employment.

The National Employment Action Plan plays an important role in assisting unemployed persons enter or return to the labour force. The 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.