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Government on track to get 75,000 long-term unemployed people back to work by end-2015

Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaking at the event

Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaking at the event

Over 46,000 long-term unemployed people have returned to work since introduction of Pathways strategy

The Government is on track to beat the target of helping 75,000 long-term unemployed people back into work by the end of 2015 through the Pathways to Work strategy. More than 46,000 long-term unemployed people have returned to work since the strategy was introduced in 2012

The figures are contained in a comprehensive update published today by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Social Protection Minister Joan Burton and Education Minister Ruairí Quinn.

It comes as separate data from the Central Statistics Office shows that the number of jobseekers on the Live Register has fallen to 388,559, a reduction of 29,034 or 7% on April 2013. This is the 22nd successive month in which the Live Register has fallen. The unemployment rate now stands at 11.7%, down from a crisis peak of 15.1%.

Today’s update outlines the progress made on implementation of Pathways to Work 2013. It shows that 44 of the 50 action points have been completed and that a further five will be completed ahead of the end-June deadline.*  Among the key actions completed are:

  • 44 Intreo Centres now open nationwide offering a “one-stop shop” where jobseekers can get income supports and employment supports in the one place for the first time
  • All jobseekers on the Live Register (circa 420,000 in 2013) profiled so that the Department can better tailor individualised employment supports for them
  • Youth Guarantee implementation plan developed and launched to provide enhanced work, training and education opportunities for jobseekers under the age of 25
  • JobsPlus wage subsidy scheme rolled out to help employers recruit from the Live Register; has already supported 1,800 new jobs
  • 10,000 additional places on work and training schemes rolled out by the Department of Social Protection
  • 11,500 places on Momentum and Springboard education schemes filled by the Department of Education
  • Backlogs in processing Family Income Supplement (FIS) claims eliminated. FIS helps families remain in work and build a better financial future for themselves by providing weekly tax-free top-up payments for employees on low pay with children. The Government will spend more than €280 million on the scheme this year, an increase of 25% since 2012.

Another of the 50 action points completed was the establishment by Minister Burton of an independent Labour Market Council of leading industry and policy experts to help drive the speedy implementation of Pathways to Work 2013 and advise on future Pathways strategies and wider labour market and employment policy.