Tánaiste Approves Guidelines on Future Operation of the Job Initiative Programme

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney has today (Thursday 25th May 2000) announced new guidelines for the future operation of the Job Initiative programme.

Commenting on the new guidelines, the Tánaiste said "These guidelines are of immediate interest to those workers who are due to finish at the end of June. Under the terms which I have approved for the future operation of Job Initiative, workers from Phase 1 will be presented with a further range of options which will ensure that they do not simply drift back to the live register and further social exclusion."

"This may involve, where appropriate, workers remaining on the programme for a further limited period to be decided locally by FAS in consultation with the sponsor," she said.

The Tánaiste continued "the programme will continue to be targeted at those most removed from the labour market, that is those over 35 who are unemployed for 5 years or more and it will be continued for the foreseeable future at its present level of 2,875 places."

The new guidelines were issued by the Tánaiste following extensive consultations with the Social Partners and other interest groups over the past few months. They are based on recommendations by consultants Deloitte and Touche on the operation of the programme.

The Tánaiste pointed out that a number of the Consultants recommendations in regard to increasing its effectiveness have already been implemented.

"JI workers have been entitled to the Back to Work Allowance since December last year and direct entitlement to secondary benefits has been extended to JI participants from April, 2000," she said.

The Tánaiste also indicated that in order to ensure that JI participants will have as wide a range as possible of opportunities to progress off the programme, her Department are preparing proposals for the provision of appropriate supports to meet the needs of those who, because of age, literacy or other barriers, are unlikely to succeed in getting and keeping a job in the open labour market.

"I am confident that the overall package of measures which I have approved will have very positive effects in terms of an effective re-integration measure for those who are most distanced from the labour market," the Tánaiste concluded.