FERMOY UNEMPLOYED WELCOME SOCIAL EMPLOYMENT SCHEME
Unemployed members of the community in Fermoy have welcomed the Government’s introduction of the social employment scheme saying, “Anything that motivates us is a good idea.”
Under the scheme, initially up to 10,000 people who are unemployed will receive €210 per week for 19 1/2 hours work by helping out with environmental projects, sports clubs, services for older people and for childcare. Unlike applicants for job seekers benefit they will not be means tested and they can work part-time outside of the scheme as well.
Those who fail to show up or miss hours will have their dole stopped. Cllr John Murphy welcomed the scheme; “ I think it is a great idea, especially for a lot of unemployed apprentices who never got to finish out their apprenticeships. They should be employed by local authorities, the NRA etc.”
The scheme hopes to keep the 10,000 unemployed people in work as they search for a full time job and return to the labour market. The scheme, if successful, could be extended to 40,000 people over the next two years.
The changes are being implemented as part of the expansion and development of the Community Services Programme and the Rural Social Scheme.
According to Minister O Cuiv, two out of every three unemployed people leave the live register within six months of signing on. More than 71,000 people came off the register and went into employment in the six months from October ‘09 to March 2010.
Published:
Thursday 9th September 7:30pm
