Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
74. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of people in Mayo currently engaged with Intreo employment services; the steps his Department is taking to introduce new initiatives to support jobseekers in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2675/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises the crucial role employment holds in our economy and society, and its importance to individual well-being, especially in rural areas.
Intreo provides a structured mandatory employment support service to all jobseekers nationwide who are in receipt of a jobseekers payment with the exception of those aged 62 and over. Intreo and its Intreo Partners - National Employment Service and Local Area Employment Service offer an individualised employment service. Employment Services Officers engage with jobseekers on a one-to-one basis to develop a Personal Progression Plan, which will identify steps the jobseeker will take to support them to progress to sustainable employment. Some 3,000 jobseekers are currently engaging with Employment Services Officers at Intreo Offices and Intreo Partner services located in Co Mayo.
There are a wide range of employment supports on offer in terms of further education, training, upskilling, work placements as well as programmes like the Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP), Community Employment (CE), Tús and the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) to support people to obtain or retain employment. Currently over 1,300 people are participating in these schemes in Mayo.
Furthermore, a key element of the work of Intreo is to organise events to bring employers and jobseekers together, with over 50 such events were organised in Co Mayo throughout 2025.
Finally, the Pathways to Work Strategy sets out the Department of Social Protections vision for a labour market that is inclusive and sustainable where everyone who can work (of working age) is supported to do so and where employers are also supported to access the skilled workers they need to grow, in an evolving economy.
Building on the success of the previous strategy, the next strategy will seek to support quality employment and inclusion for all. A distinct focus on people who are furthest from the labour market, experiencing multiple barriers to participation will be at the forefront of this strategy and will seek to ensure that all people can benefit from Irelands well performing economy, enable growth in communities across the country in both urban and rural locations.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
