Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding the FÁS work placement programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25847/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The work placement programme (WPP) was announced by Government on 27th May 2009. By June 2009 it was operationalised and rolled out nationally. Under the programme, employers apply to offer 'work placements', for a maximum duration of nine months within their business/body, and those who are unemployed can apply for these placements. A placement is unpaid and voluntary.

The aim of the WPP is to provide unemployed people with the opportunity to work and gain experience so that they can keep their skills fresh and relevant to the job market. For graduates, the aim is to give them the opportunity to apply their skills in a work situation and to get real work experience to add to their qualification.

Anyone who is unemployed is eligible to apply for the WPP, including people who are not in receipt of any social welfare payment. For those in receipt of a social welfare payment, they may take up the placement, under certain conditions. People who are currently in receipt of any of the following payments may apply:

· Job Seeker's Allowance

· Job Seeker's Benefit

· Disability Allowance

· Blind Pension

· Invalidity Pension

· Illness Benefit

· Lone parents allowance

· Deserted Wives Benefit

· Widow/Widower's Pension

· Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA)

However, to be eligible to retain their payment while on a placement, they must have been unemployed and in receipt of some form of social welfare payment for at least three months.

The JobBridge National Internship Scheme is open to people who are unemployed and who are in receipt of either, Job Seeker's Benefit, Job Seeker's Allowance or singing for Social Insurance Credit for three months (78 days) or more in the last six months. The Work Placement Programme is open to people in receipt of broader range of payments, and is open to those not in receipt of payments. It is not, however, open to people who are in either full employment or employed in a part-time capacity.

Anyone interested in seeking work in their area of their qualification should in the first instance arrange a visit to their local employment services office. There they can meet with an employment services offer who can discuss in more detail, the full range of options open to someone who is seeking work in a specific field.