Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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227. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her views on the proposal that the upcoming budget should provide incentives to the private sector to employ those on the live register and to establish a quota for Government agencies and bodies to employ at least 10% from the live register in view of the fact there are many highly qualified and experienced professionals who are fully employable (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18178/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Government already incentivises recruitment from the Live Register by means of the JobsPlus subsidy that pays employers up to €10,000 in respect of each employee recruited from the Live Register. The JobBridge scheme also incentivises employers to offer opportunities to people on the Live Register.

In addition many public procurement contracts now contain a so called “social clause” which requires contractors to recruit a specific percentage of employees from the Live Register, and which may also reflect a requirement in relation to the recruitment of jobseekers that would be deemed to be long term unemployed.

The Department of Social Protection actively engages with contractors employed by the State to introduce them to candidates from the Live Register who are suitably qualified and experienced to meet their employment needs.

With regard to public sector recruitment senior officials are currently considering how the “social clause” approach might be adopted taking into consideration the specific legislative requirements relating to non-discrimination, probity and integrity in the public sector recruitment.