John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of plans for the introduction of the youth employment support scheme to be introduced in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8345/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I intend to introduce the new Youth Employment Support Scheme (YESS) in June of this year. The scheme will be targeted at young people aged 18 to 24 who are long-term unemployed or who face barriers to employment. It aims to provide them with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement.

It will be open to people getting a variety of payments including Jobseeker Benefit and Allowance, One Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker Transition Payment, Disability Allowance, Blind Person’s Pension or Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

Young people, like other groups, vary in terms of skills, aptitudes, and background, so the scheme will aim to offer them a wide variety of work experience options to meet their particular needs. The scheme will be open to employers across the private, community and voluntary sectors who meet the eligibility criteria. Public sector organisations will be excluded.

The aim is to provide participants with the opportunity to learn basic work and social skills in a supportive environment while on a work placement. The scheme will complement and sit alongside other opportunities developed by the Department of Education and Skills, such as the new Career Traineeships and Apprenticeships, and will broaden the choice available to young people.

Employers will be encouraged to hire participants who have performed well, and those who do will qualify for a financial subsidy under JobsPlus Youth.