People who would have traditionally found it difficult to get work because of their history or circumstances will be given a fresh start under a scheme being introduced in Dublin today.
Under the Equal at Work programme, these companies will focus on employing disadvantaged groups such as people with disabilities, Travellers, ex-prisoner, former drug offenders and single parents.
People who have not finished the Leaving Cert programme will no longer be barred from employment under the programme. Organisations such as Vodafone, FÁS, Tallaght Hospital and the Small Firms Association are taking part in the programme initiated by the Dublin Employment Pact and Dublin City Council.
The Dublin Employment Pact (DEP) was established in 1998 to tackle employment and development policy issues in Dublin. Companies in the private, community and voluntary sector are represented in the Equal at Work programme, which will receive €1.5 million European Commission funding.
About 3,500 people are long-term unemployed in the Dublin area and most are from disadvantaged groups.
