John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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316. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full year saving from abolishing the gateway scheme. [14675/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Gateway is a work placement initiative for county and city councils. The initiative aims to improve the employability and maintain the work readiness of those who have been unemployed for 24 months or more. There are a total of 3,000 places available on Gateway.

This year €33.38m was allocated for Gateway, therefore the direct savings from abolishing the Gateway scheme this year would be in the order of €33.38m. However the net savings have to take account of the full year cost of the jobseekers payment for 3,000 customers estimated at €30.7m.

The figures above do not take account of the additional income the Exchequer receives in the form of income tax, PRSI and USC from those participating on the scheme.