Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

111. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons currently on jobseeker's benefit; the number of persons that have applied for jobseeker's benefit, by year, for the past five years; the steps he is taking to address the rising unemployment rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61990/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is committed to supporting jobseekers in finding and sustaining employment. The national employment services strategy, Pathways to Work 2021-2025, was developed to support employment and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years since its publication, unemployment has fallen to record low levels, standing at 4.8% according to latest CSO figures, with 5% considered as full employment. The number of people in employment stood at a record high 2.818 million in Q2 of this year.

Intreo employment services provide comprehensive support to jobseekers. Employment Personal Advisors and Job Coaches across Intreo centres deliver an individualised approach to each jobseeker in supporting them into employment. Jobseekers can avail of a range of employment supports, including Community Employment and Tús schemes, referrals to Further Education and Training, and the Work Placement Experience Programme. Our employer engagement teams work closely with private sector employers to encourage the hiring of jobseekers from the Live Register, with incentives such as the JobsPlus recruitment subsidy, and the JobsIreland.ie platform to advertise vacancies.

As committed to in Pathways, the Employer and Youth Engagement Charter was re-launched in 2024 and, to date, over 300 employers have signed up to it. Charter signatories commit to undertake two or more activities that will help a jobseeker on their pathway to employment, such as mentoring, hosting a CV workshop or availing of the Department’s supports to hire a young jobseeker, and those from other groups distant from the labour market.

Young jobseekers also benefit from the EU’s Reinforced Youth Guarantee, which stipulates that those under 30 must receive a quality offer of employment, education or training within 4 months of becoming unemployed.

Currently, my Department is moving to develop the next iteration of Pathways to Work. The next strategy will emphasise supporting those who face additional barriers in the labour market, including lone parents, disabled people and the long-term unemployed. Having conducted a wide-ranging public consultation process with community groups, employers, and other civil society organisations, we have listened to the public’s views on how best to get people into employment.

The figures below provide a breakdown on Jobseeker’s Benefit applications in the past five years to date.