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The Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection, Mr Finian McGrath, T.D., today (Friday 26 August 2016) presided over the graduation of 25 young jobseekers who participated in a pilot Employment Support Scheme. The Scheme is an innovative joint initiative between the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces, the Department of Social Protection and the Baldoyle Training Centre of the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB). The collaboration stems from a Government commitment in the White Paper on Defence.

This voluntary scheme is targeted at 18-24 year olds who are on the Live Register and who face barriers to gaining employment. The ESS encompasses a training programme of 10 weeks duration, consisting of 5 weeks of military-orientated training by the Defence Forces (DF) interspersed with 5 weeks of education-orientated training. 

The Scheme aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills that will assist them to participate fully in society, and enhance their capacity to pursue employment, work experience or further educational opportunities.  A central element throughout the Programme was to enhance the self-confidence and personal drive of the participants by building their training and physical capability.

25 participants from North Dublin and south Louth were presented with their graduation certificates at today’s ceremony.  Addressing the successful participants the Minister said “I wish to offer my warmest congratulations to all of you for the commitment you have made. You have all been on a fantastic journey of learning and self-discovery. All of you, together with your families and friends can be justifiably proud of your learning, training and physical achievements.”
                       
In recognising the role of the Defence Forces, the Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, T.D., said “The Government has set an ambitious target of creating 200,000 jobs by 2020 to get people’s lives back on track after the damage caused by the economic crash. Achieving those targets requires commitment by all of Government and I am delighted to have the Defence Forces play such a positive role.”
In wishing the participants every success for the future Minister Kehoe said “The Defence Forces has an exceptional record in creating leaders and decision makers.  The ESS has provided the benefit of that experience; this coupled with the education component will set the participants apart from other jobseekers.”
ENDS

Note for Editors
The development of the new Employment Support Scheme arises from a commitment given in the White Paper on Defence which was published last year.

The objective of the Scheme is to help develop a path to economic independence for unemployed participants, aged between 18 and 24, who are at a distinct disadvantage in terms of being able to develop their personal well-being and capacity with a view to advancing their job prospects.  The Ballymun Job Centre assisted in the Initiative by working with the participants on personal development aspects of the Programme.

The pilot scheme, based at Gormanston Camp, for 25 participants commenced in June of this year and ran for 10 weeks. 

An evaluation of the pilot programme is underway in order to consider the potential to advance the programme and with a view to rolling out the Scheme in 2017.