Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 61: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the recommendation of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes that the jobs initiative should be closed down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41056/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Job Initiative Programme (JI) which was launched in July 1996 continues to provide full time employment for people who are 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more, and in receipt of Social Welfare payments over that period.

The main purpose of the programme is to assist long-term unemployed people to prepare for work opportunities by providing participants with work experience, training and development opportunities. The programme is sponsored by voluntary organisations and public bodies involved in not-for-profit activities.

Following changes introduced on 10 November 2004 by Minister Micheál Martin no new entrants have been admitted onto the Job Initiative Schemes. However, contracts for existing participants are renewed allowing them the option to continue until they are 65 years of age.

The 2009 budget for the Job Initiative is €39m and there are currently 1,444 participants with this number decreasing annually due to retirement and other reasons.

This Government will continue to support the positive role of FÁS Employment Schemes in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons while at the same time providing essential services to communities. The operation of the Scheme is being kept under constant review in the context of the current difficult unemployment situation.