Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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161. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to extend the duration of placement of participants on the gateway scheme beyond the current 22 month period should the relevant local authority seek to retain participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2411/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Gateway is a county and city council work scheme which aims to provide short-term, quality work opportunities to those who are unemployed for more than 24 months. Gateway was introduced in 2013 as a response to the high levels of unemployment at that the time. Participants improve their employability and work readiness through work opportunities with structured environments where existing work skills can be put into practice. The 22 month duration of the Gateway contract ensures that Gateway fits in with the objectives set out in the Government’s activation policies, including Pathways to Work. It also enables as many people as possible who are long-term unemployed to benefit from the initiative.

I have no plans to extend the 22 month duration of the Gateway contract. However, it is the prerogative of each county and city council to employ persons participating on the Gateway scheme after cessation of their 22 month contract.

With the ongoing welcome reductions in the live register, the operation of Gateway and all of the Department’s activation schemes are being examined to ensure that the number and nature of schemes, as well as the conditions governing participation on these schemes continue to be appropriate. I plan on bringing a Memo to Government on these matters in the coming weeks.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.