James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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181. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the action she will take to deal with the high level of unemployment in County Longford; her views on the effect it is having on the wider community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2619/15]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In the first instance, the Government’s primary strategy to tackle unemployment in County Longford, as with the rest of the country, is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery, by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth.

However, the Government also recognises the need for additional measures to address unemployment in the interim while the economy recovers. This is the rationale behind the Government’s Pathways to WorkStrategy, which is being led by the Department of Social Protection.

These policies have helped underpin the employment recovery that began, at the national level, in 2012.

The numbers on the live register in County Longford have fallen from a peak of 5,647 in August 2009 to 4,293 in December 2014. The reduction represents a fall of 24% over this period, as compared with a reduction of 19% in the national total. This indicates that the county has shared in the overall national recovery.

The Midlands-North Division of the Department is taking a proactive approach to activation and employer engagement. There are 7 Activation Case Officers based in Longford together with an Activation Support Team. The Activation Team in conjunction with Longford Chamber of Commerce hosted a breakfast briefing for employers in 2014 outlining and promoting supports and services available from the department to employers.

The Activation Unit in Longford works closely with other stakeholders including the Longford-Westmeath Educational Training Board to identify suitable training and educational opportunities for jobseekers in Longford.

A dedicated Employer Engagement Unit has been established within the Midlands-North Division and is working closely with employers. It is taking a proactive, hands-on approach to ensure that suitable people are matched to appropriate vacancies. The intention is that the Unit will become a first choice recruiter for all employers both large and small in the area.

In addition, my Department is currently in the process of evaluating tenders for JobPath, the Government’s new labour market activation service aimed specifically at the long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed. This will provide additional capacity for the Department’s employment services, enhancing efforts to address unemployment. JobPath will operate nationwide, including in County Longford.