Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she received a submission from an organisation (details supplied) regarding reduced social welfare rates for homeless young persons; if she has considered these proposals; if she will take action on these proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10448/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The organisation concerned, in a submission to the Department, has raised issues in relation to reduced rates of jobseeker’s allowance for younger persons.

The reduced rates encourage young jobseekers to improve their skills and remain active in the labour market in order to avoid the risk of becoming long-term unemployed and will help them to progress into sustainable employment on a long-term basis. Where a person is in receipt of a reduced rate of jobseeker's allowance and he or she participates in a course of education, training a higher rate of €160 applies. Similar issues to the ones raised by the organisation concerned have been raised previously by Focus Ireland. Having regard to these issues approval has been given for a pilot community employment programme targeted at young persons in emergency accommodation. This pilot programme is being developed in partnership with Focus Ireland in line with the operating guidelines for community employment schemes.

It is expected that results from this pilot programme will inform wider policy development with regard to young persons in emergency homeless accommodation.