Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 25 November 2010, if she will provide further details of the new training and internship proposal under consideration by the Government for the unemployed, including unemployed graduates; the source of this proposal; its operating arrangements, scope and providers; the projected number of participants; the proposed funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48106/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has proposed and the Government has approved the Skills Development and Internship Programme which is a new enterprise-led labour market activation initiative aimed at those who are at least three months unemployed. This programme aims to enable the unemployed maintain their links with the labour market while also facilitating their upskilling and reskilling, thereby improving their employability.

It is intended that the maximum duration for participants on the programme will be 15 months, which will comprise of a 12 month placement with host organisations in the private or community and voluntary sectors and the potential for a further 3 months to facilitate education and training. By providing a 12 month placement coupled with a substantial education and training offering it is intended that the programme will provide a structured pathway to employment for those who are unemployed.

Firms who participate in the programme will contribute €150 per week per participant that they place. This will be used to finance the costs of the programme. The Government has also allocated €5m in Budget 2011 towards the costs of the programme.

FÁS will have responsibility for managing the programme. Participants on the programme who are in receipt of social welfare benefits will continue to receive an allowance equivalent to their social welfare entitlement. Participants will also receive an 'Upskilling Bonus' of €100 per week during the actual 12 month placement phase of the programme.

The success of the programme will be entirely dependent on enterprises embracing the programme and offering quality placements to the unemployed. The Government have made provision for up to 5,000 places to be supported under this programme; however, this is subject to the level of interest and uptake by enterprises.

Operational details of the programme are currently being prepared and it is expected that the programme will be operational towards the end of the first quarter of 2011.