SOCIAL WELFARE recipients who do not participate in the Government’s Pathways to Work initiative could be dropped from the Live Register or have their benefits reduced by €44 per week, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has said.
She said the initiative, to be rolled out next week, would help people return to work by profiling claimants’ level of education, work skills and location and trying to match them to job opportunities.
This marked a “proactive approach” by the Department of Social Protection, community welfare officers and Fás employment services, which have merged with the department in recent months.
She said a programme was being developed under which people on the Live Register would be called for a group interview and then an individual interview to help match claimants to positions.
“They could be dropped off the register completely if they fail to show up at the interviews or they could have their payment cut if they fail to engage properly to the tune of about €44,” she said.
Relationships between Fás and employers had been “variable” in the past, but she wanted to see this change. “We’re ready to work with the individuals to ensure that people on the Live Register, relevant people, have a good opportunity of getting those jobs. That’s the critical thing,” Ms Burton said.
She plans to target youth unemployment and long-term unemployment as a priority.
She said following recent talks on the fiscal compact she was hopeful there would be a “fresh emphasis in Europe on youth unemployment and that that may have positive benefits to Ireland”.