Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress she has made with the Department of Social and Family Affairs on aiding those unemployed back into the workforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44571/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government have adopted a co-ordinated, integrated and innovative approach to support the unemployed and to provide these individuals with the necessary skills needed to prepare them for a return to employment as soon as possible. This process is being co-ordinated by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal, which contains Ministerial representatives of the key economic Government Departments. As a result of this process significant progress is being made in a number of specific areas between my Department and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The capacity of the job search supports system provided by FÁS Employment Services and the partnership-based Local Employment Service has been almost doubled the annual capacity of places to 147,000 for National Employment Action Plan referrals by the Department and Social and Family Affairs. The National Employment Action Plan process is now under review between the two Departments to see if improvement can be made for the future.

Earlier this year Minister Hanafin and I launched the Work Placement Programme and the Short Time Training Programme. The Work Placement Programme is providing 6 months work experience for 2,000 unemployed individuals, including graduates and young people. Through the collaboration between both Departments, this Labour Market Activation Programme has been specifically designed to enable participants on the Programme to maintain their social welfare entitlements. Following a review of the Programme, Minister Hanafin and I, announced recently a revised Work Placement Programme, with extended eligibility criteria. I am optimistic that the revised eligibility criteria will make the Programme more accessible for potential participants and for potential providers.

The Short Time Training Programme is providing training to 277 people on systematic short time for the days they are not working. The training will last for a year and again like the Work Placement Programme, individuals will retain their social welfare entitlements whilst on the programme.

Another initiative, which allows participants to retain their social welfare allowances, is the specifically designed Institute of Technology 11 week programme for redundant apprentices in the construction, electrical and engineering areas.

The integrated approach adopted by the Government and which my Department and the Department of Social and Family Affairs are working under will continue to provide support to those who are unemployed and assist them back into employment as soon as possible.