Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

88. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reviewing the eligibility criteria for the new Gateway scheme so that jobseekers who have participated in a Tús or community employment scheme within the previous 24 months are eligible to participate in Gateway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12271/14]

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

Gateway is a work placement initiative which the Department is introducing with the assistance of county and city councils. The initiative aims to improve the employability and maintain the work readiness of those who have been unemployed for 24 months or more. Both Tús and Community Employment (CE) also focus on those who are long-term unemployed with the aim of improving their employability.

I consider participation on Tús and CE to be adequate to meet the objectives of the schemes, whilst also ensuring that as many unemployed people as possible are able to benefit. This is critical in the context of high unemployment and demand for activation places to meet the Department’s commitments under Pathways to Work. We have focused Gateway at those who are longer away from the labour market and who have skills predominately in the construction sector. I do not consider that Gateway will provide the jobseeker with the appropriate type of progression from Tús or CE that they might require in the longer term.