Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of recent developments in the roll out of service programmes from her Department if she will provide clarification on the current status of the National Employment Programme and it's dual stranded approach to solving the problem of long term unemployment and for those who are most disadvantaged in terms of the employment market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58123/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The new Intreo service, previously called the National Employment and Entitlements Service (NEES), is currently being rolled-out and implemented on a phased basis. This new one-stop shop service integrates employment and income supports and provides for a streamlined and personalized service to clients in accessing job opportunities and availing of supports to enable them to get back to work at the earliest possible opportunity.

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny formally launched the new service in Sligo on the 15^th of October 2012. At the same time the service was also made available in three other trial locations: Kings Inn/Parnell Street, Tallaght and Arklow and since then the model has been rolled out to six other locations. Work will continue throughout 2013 on the roll out of Intreo services to c 20 other locations and the full Intreo service will be available in all of the Department’s offices nationwide by the end of 2014.

The Intreo service provides for more regular and ongoing engagement, and greater targeting of activation places and opportunities for jobseekers. By 31^st October 2012, c130,000 initial guidance interviews and over 118,000 follow up meetings were conducted.

Through the Department’s new profiling model each new client’s job readiness and probability of exit (PEX) from the live register is assessed. Clients who are most likely to become long-term unemployed are given targeted support and are placed on appropriate training and personal development programmes and work experiences. The profiling system enables us to identify these clients at the earliest possible opportunity, as soon as they engage with the service, and to provide immediate targeted interventions. Over 41,000 profiles had been conducted by the end of October 2012, and services are then provided in line with the client’s needs and progression plan.

As a measure of the Government’s commitment to providing supports for those who are unemployed, an allocation of an additional €11 million was announced in the recent budget for employment programmes representing an additional 10,000 places.

In parallel with the development of an integrated service for jobseekers, the Department is increasing its engagement with employers. A dedicated Employer Engagement Unit has been established and an Employer Engagement Manager is available in each region to support and advise employers at each stage of the employment process including the advertisement of opportunities and sourcing potential candidates from the Live Register. During Autumn 2012, a series employer briefings were held to provide employers with practical advice and assistance on the full range of employment and financial supports available from the Department.

Given the scale of the unemployment crisis, a key objective of labour market policy is to keep those on the Live Register close to the Labour Market. The new Intreo service is designed to fulfil this objective. It is aimed at ensuring that the individual needs of each client are assessed and provided for. Each client receives appropriate supports related to their individual needs and the needs of industry, thus enabling them to remain job ready and motivated to take up employment as soon as the opportunity arises.