Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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28. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the numbers of participants in County Tipperary on the JobBridge scheme, the Gateway scheme, the Tús - work placement initiative, the community employment scheme, the JobsPlus scheme, and the work placement programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17239/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Government's primary strategy to reduce unemployment has been implemented through policies to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth.

Despite the progress that has been made, the Government acknowledges that both youth unemployment and long-term unemployment remain unacceptably high. Hence, the Government also recognises the need for additional activation measures in the interim while the economy recovers. This is the rationale behind the Government's Pathways to Work strategy and the Youth Guarantee.

Pathways to Work includes a wide range of programmes and services to help jobseekers back to employment. These include programmes such as JobBridge, JobsPlus, Gateway, TÚS, Community Employment and the Work Placement Programme.

JobsPlus is targeted specifically at encouraging employers to recruit people who are long-term unemployed. There are currently 167people participating on JobsPlus in County Tipperary.

Community Employment, TÚS and Gateway provide work experience opportunities for long term unemployed jobseekers mainly within the community and voluntary sector. The numbers of participants on Community Employment (excluding supervisors) in County Tipperary is currently at 815while TÚS has 392participants and Gateway has 56participants in County Tipperary.

There are 204participants on the JobBridge scheme in County Tipperary. There are currently no Work Placement Programme participants in County Tipperary.