Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

297. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there are any other schemes to replace the Gateway scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7409/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Gateway is a work placement scheme designed to provide short-term work opportunities for unemployed people in Local Authorities. The scheme commenced in December 2013. To be eligible to participate on Gateway, a person must have been continuously unemployed for at least 24 months and receiving a jobseeker's allowance payment.

Participants benefit by improving their work readiness and are able to apply their existing skills and learn new ones. The scheme is also intended to assist the personal and social development of participants, with the objective of bridging the gap between unemployment and re-entering the workforce. Participants work for an average of 19½ hours a week.

With the ongoing welcome reductions in the live register, the operation of all of the activation schemes, including Gateway, are being examined. This is necessary to ensure that the number and nature of schemes, as well as the conditions governing participation on these schemes continues to be appropriate. It is recognised by Government that these activation schemes are positive initiatives that enable the long-term unemployed to make a contribution to their communities whilst up-skilling themselves for prospective future employment. I plan to bring a Memorandum to Government on these matters in the coming weeks.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.