Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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54. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of measures contained in the White Paper on Defence regarding a proposal for a new employment support scheme with the direct involvement of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32091/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence committed the Government to putting in place a new employment support scheme with the direct involvement of the Defence Forces. A successful pilot programme was held in Gormanston Camp from 20^thJune 2016 to 26^thAugust 2016 with 25 participants. Following an evaluation of the pilot programme and Ministerial approval, it is intended to run 2 iterations of the programme in 2017.

The objective of this 10-week scheme is to help develop a path to economic independence for participants, aged between 18 and 24 years, who are at a serious disadvantage owing to their current socio-economic situation. The scheme is designed with the specific aim of equipping participants with life and other marketable and certifiable skills which will assist them both in their capacity to participate fully in society as well as their ability to enter the workforce and or to pursue further education for this purpose.

Participants retain any Department of Social Protection benefits that they are currently entitled to for the duration of the Scheme. Participation on the scheme is wholly voluntary for the relevant cohort of jobseekers and there is no penalty applied for non-participation or engagement in the programme. Participants do not receive any payment from the Department of Defence.

A programme is currently underway in Limerick. This programme started on 22^ndMay 2017 and will run to 28^thJuly 2017. There are 15 participants on the programme.

Preparations involving the Defence Organisation, the Department of Social Protection and the Dublin & Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board are underway for the second programme in 2017 to start in the Defence Forces’ Gormanston Camp, Co. Meath, on 9^thOctober. It is intended that this programme will run to 15^thDecember 2017 and will cater for up to 30 participants.