Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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90. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of employers who have signed up to the Employment and Youth Activation Charter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1590/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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91. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of jobseeker's on the live register who have been interviewed for positions under the Employment and Youth Activation Charter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1591/15]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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92. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of jobseekers on the live register who have been employed under the Employment and Youth Activation Charter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1592/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 to 92, inclusive, together.

The Employment and Youth Activation Charter was launched by An Tánaiste on the 29th September 2014. The Charter is an initiative of the Labour Market Council which was established by An Tánaiste to help drive actions under the Government’s programme of change as set out in the Action Plan for Jobsand Pathways to Work.

33 companies have signed the Charter to date. Companies who sign the Charter are agreeing to engage with the Department in relation to supporting a number of activities which will benefit unemployed people – particularly long-term and young unemployed people – find a route back into employment. There are three main areas of activities which a company may be involved in:

- Considering potential candidates from the live register as part of the recruitment process. Companies who sign the Charter guarantee that at least 50% of candidates to be considered for interview will be taken from the live register;

- Providing training/work experience opportunities, and

- Providing employability supports including information sessions for jobseekers and advice/guidance in relation to job search, CV preparation and interview skills.

Given the early stage of rollout of the charter, data is not yet available in regard to its impact on employment of people from the live register. Data will be collected and made available in Q2 2015.

The Charter is reflective of the ongoing work of my Department in building relationships with employers and is also a means of publicising the supports and services available from my Department which form the basis of that work and of raising employer awareness about initiatives, such as JobsPlus, JobBridge and the Youth Development Internship.

The ethos of the Charter is to build on the strong corporate social responsibility practices operating in Ireland through the involvement of business in supporting Ireland’s jobseekers by contributing in terms of their organisations’ time and expertise.

I would very much welcome the Deputy’s support in encouraging employers to sign the Charter which can be accessed on .