Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

486. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in Counties Westmeath and Longford who have so far participated in the Gateway local authority work placement scheme; if there are plans to expand the number of Gateway positions in the local authorities in the coming months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13021/14]

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

Gateway has a target to provide for 3,000 placements focusing on those who have been unemployed for 24 months or more.

The initial placement of participants on Gateway has commenced with a total of 90 participants currently engaged. While Longford and Westmeath County Councils have been allocated targets of 55 and 80 respectively, no participants have been placed to date in either county.

The sum of €19.1m has been allocated for Gateway in 2014 which will provide for the 3,000 places referred to above. I have no plans at present to increase the current level of placements beyond that number.