Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

392. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of participants who have started on the work placement experience programme; the number who are currently registered; the number of persons who have finished placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35523/22]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

393. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of complaints that have been received from participants on the work placement experience programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35524/22]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

394. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of positions on the work placement experience programme that have been refused because the position did not meet the standards of the scheme or were removed for the same reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35525/22]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

395. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of workplace inspections that have been carried out as part of the work placement experience programme; the number of placements that were found to be satisfactory or unsatisfactory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35526/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 to 395, inclusive, together.

The Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) is a key policy initiative under the Government's national employment services strategy, Pathways to Work 2021-2025.  It is a funded work placement scheme to provide quality work experience to unemployed jobseekers to build their skills and experience.  Placements run for 6 months at 30 hours per week to include time spent on training.  All participants are paid a minimum of €311 per week, plus any social welfare increases for qualified adults and children.  Participation on WPEP by jobseekers is entirely voluntary.

The Work Placement Experience Scheme was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic at a time of significant unemployment.  As a result of the policies pursued by Government, the economy has recovered much faster than anticipated as restrictions have been eased. The unemployment rate nationally has fallen below 5%.  In addition, the youth unemployment rate in Ireland in May 2022 was 4.9%, significantly blow the average EU unemployment rate of 13.3% at that time. 

This strong economic recovery coupled with the fact that many businesses across sectors are facing staff shortages currently and are actively seeking to recruit staff naturally means that the need for the Work Placement Experience Scheme has naturally been much less than anticipated. This of course is a positive development. Nevertheless WPEP remains in place for those who need it and it will be an important support to have in place should the economic situation deteriorate in the future.   

The number of WPEP placements approved as of the 24th of June 2022 was 365. Of these placements:

- 152 are active,

- 10 are due to start.

- 203 participants have ended their WPEP placements of which 122 have completed the full course and an additional 81 finished WPEP early due to a variety of reasons, including 30 who have obtained employment.

There have been a small number of complaints from participants to date, 9 in total, some of which were administrative in nature.   In each compliant, case officers were involved and worked to deal with the substantive issue or when necessary, assist the participant find a new placement.  All complaints are   investigated in full by the Department’s case officer as part of the ongoing monitoring of the programme and the individual placement.  There have been no WPEP placements ceased by the Department. 

In advance of advertising any placement opportunity, host organisations’ tax compliance is verified by the Department.  Host organisations must have appropriate insurance and health and safety measures in place and accept the terms and conditions of the programme. The scope of the work experience on offer for each placement is reviewed in advance to ensure that it is in line with the objectives of the programme.  In addition, placements must provide training opportunities, including workplace training and accredited training as part of the programme. 

Since the launch of the programme 375 placement positions were not approved as they did not satisfy the required criteria.  This can include any of the above elements.

As part of WPEP monitoring an assigned case officer liaises with the host and the participant during the placement.  While case officers do not undertake workplace inspections,  they do monitor placements and this includes meeting with participants and hosts to review placements.  These may be in person or virtual.  To date 118 monitoring reviews have been completed.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.