Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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1325. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number or persons in receipt of jobseeker's allowance for more than 12 months; the number of those who have engaged on a training course or community employment scheme; the number who have not engaged on a training course or community employment scheme; and his views on job activation measures being undertaken for those on long term job seekers allowance. [44514/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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At the end of June 2025 there were 48,770 persons in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance for more than 12 months. Of these almost 44,000 had a new or existing referral to employment supports or training courses during the previous 12 months.

Not only is employment crucial to our economy and society, but it is also vital to individual well-being, not just in the financial sense but in terms of social, physical and mental health. It is well known that prolonged periods of unemployment can have a permanent scarring effect. That is why my Department, through the Public Employment Service, Intreo delivers a streamlined, integrated employment support service to support the unemployed transition closer to employment.

After 12 months in unemployment, clients are referred to the services delivered by Intreo Partners, which continue to support the long term unemployed through dedicated supports and services with the aim of assisting these individuals secure permanent full-time work or self-employment. Intreo and Intreo Partners provide a wide range of supports and services to the unemployed, which can include access to education, training and supported employment programmes such as Community Employment, Tús and the Rural Social Scheme.