Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
240. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports and activation measures in place to enable and assist long-term welfare recipients to re-enter the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70561/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to supporting jobseekers to obtain sustainable employment.
Intreo Employment Services (ES) provide nationwide support to jobseekers through a structured and mandatory engagement process that offers tailored, individualised employment support. Jobseekers on the live register engage with Intreo Employment Services in the first 12 months, after which if they are still on the live register, they are referred to the Intreo Partner National Employment Service. After 24 months, if they are still on the live register, they are referred to the Intreo Partner Local Area Employment Service, which is designed to engage with those with greater barriers to the labour market and is delivered primarily by local development organisations. Therefore, the jobseeker is referred to the most appropriate service at each point in time on their job seeking journey.
Intreo Employment Services and Intreo Partners offer an individualised employment service to jobseekers, including on a voluntary basis jobseekers who are in receipt of a disability payment or other payments. Employment Services Officers engage with jobseekers on a one-to-one basis to develop a Personal Progression Plan, which will identify steps the jobseeker can take to support them to progress to sustainable employment. These plans can include referrals to suitable employment opportunities, training, work placement, education, or support with self-employment.
The Department has a range of supports and schemes to assist long-term jobseekers find a pathway to employment. The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is available to those seeking to become self-employed, and Employment Programmes such as Community Employment and Tús provide direct employment opportunities for the long-term unemployed. The Work Placement Experience Programme helps to break the cycle of ‘no work, no experience’ and ‘no experience, no work’ that often puts people at risk of long-term unemployment. Recruitment subsidies such as JobsPlus, offer a financial incentive of up to €10,000 to employers who hire a person who is long-term unemployed.
Intreo Employment Service also work closely with employers to improve the employment outcomes for long-term unemployed people in accessing the labour market. During 2024, the Employment and Employer Youth Engagement Charter (EYEC) was launched. Companies, who sign the Charter, commit to a range of activities to support young jobseekers and jobseekers from a priority cohorts find a pathway to employment. To date, 317 employer have signed the Charter.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
