Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is scope for discretion within the guidelines of the Government's work placement programme to allow a provider who rewards a successful participant with a full-time job to re-apply to become a provider of a subsequent placement under the WPP. [10787/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The work placement programme provides up to 9 months work experience to unemployed individuals, including graduates. The programme is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors. The aim of the programme is to assist unemployed people, including graduates, to establish or maintain links to the labour market and to gain valuable work experience in a real work environment that will enhance their employment prospects.

There are a number of steps taken by FÁS in managing the work placement programme to prevent organisations from exploiting the scheme. For instance, all potential providers must confirm with FÁS the following:

§ That the placement will not be provided to fill an existing vacancy.

§ That the placement will not be provided to displace an existing employee.

Under the guidelines a cooling off period of 3 months must elapse before another placement in the same area of activity is approved. If the placement is in another area of activity from the previous placement no cooling off period will apply. FÁS will review any subsequent applications for placement in an organisation in light of experience of a previous placement. This review will take into consideration the experience of the participant and the results of monitoring visits. FÁS will reconfirm with the employer that the placement sought is not a substitution for a job vacancy.