Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 1379: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the systems in place in his Department to interview jobseekers when they are still unemployed after the National Employment Action Plan process has been exhausted and the number of such interviews held with long-term unemployed people in each of the past three years. [34001/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The jobseeker schemes' conditions include that a customer should be available for work and genuinely seeking work. If people do not attend for an EAP interview 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 a jobseeker's payment. Jobseekers who, for valid reasons, are unable to avail of the opportunities 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 in employment and exploring alternative progression routes.

The Department refer people that have been through the EAP process to facilitators on a monthly basis. In the period September 2008 to end-August 2010 (the period for which figures are available), over 39,000 cases were referred to facilitators. There are 63 facilitators located throughout the country and are assigned to cover defined geographical areas.

As part of the normal control process, a future review date is entered on the payment system for all jobseeker customers. Additional review dates are entered as necessary throughout the life of the claim. At each date, the claim is reviewed and where necessary the claimant is interviewed to ensure that they continue to satisfy the conditions of the scheme.