Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 July 2025
169. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance for 24 months or longer, by county; if he will confirm when he intends to publish a new employment strategy focused on intensive engagement with those most distant from the labour market as committed in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39921/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe breakdown by county for the number of people in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance (JA) for more than 2 years.My officials have commenced work on a successor to the current employment services strategy, Pathways to Work Strategy 2021-2015. This new strategy will aim to carry on from the success of its predecessor which has focused on removing barriers to employment, providing tens of thousands of training and education places, enhancing the Public Employment Service, providing incentives to employers to take people off the Live Register, and delivering a special package of supports for those most disadvantaged and distant from the labour force.
A public consultation process on this new employment strategy was launched last week and runs until the end of September. I hope that all the relevant stakeholders and interested parties will make submissions to the consultation. I intend that the new successor Pathways to Work will be published in Quarter 1 2026.
