Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the fact that many work placement positions are now being made available to the unemployed through the JobBridge scheme, if she will review the criteria which debars one parent family recipients from availing of the JobBridge scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40435/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are currently no plans to review the JobBridge criteria, which limits participation to individuals who are currently on the Live Register. Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, the key objective of labour market policy is to keep those on the live register close to the labour market and prevent the drift into long-term unemployment. This will ensure that live register members availing of activation measures such as JobBridge will, while retaining social welfare unemployment payments and a top up allowance of €50, get an opportunity to engage in the workplace, get work experience and so be in a position to avail of employment opportunities as the economy improves.

For these reasons, the eligibility for the scheme is confined to those on the live register and in receipt of unemployment payments or signing for credits for 78 days in the previous six months. In so construing the scheme, the policy objective is to prioritise scarce resources on those on the live register so as to increase their chances of leaving it and ensure a reduction in exchequer costs over time.

Individuals in receipt of one parent family payment may continue to access a wide range of activation supports including the FÁS work placement programme, which is designed to provide participants with valuable work experience, thereby improving their prospects of securing employment. The FÁS work placement programme still offers many opportunities for individuals to secure work experience.