To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning, pursuant to AQW 48284/11-16, for his assessment of scenarios in which young people are prevented from completing programmes which address their needs and provide opportunities to gain qualifications, because they have been mandated to participate on Steps 2 Success.

My Department’s Employment Service provides advice and guidance to unemployed clients aged 18 to 24 years old for the first nine months of their benefit claim.

During this period, Employment Service Advisers can refer unemployed clients to a range of work focused provision which will assist them move into, and remain in, employment. This provision is aimed at those who have been assessed as being relatively close to the labour market and offers quality training opportunities which include Short Accredited Training Courses or Industry Standard Training Courses. Clients can also avail of other provision or programmes that may be available to assist them move into employment.

After a period of nine months with the Employment Service, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants in this age group who have not found employment will be referred to Steps 2 Success (S2S).

S2S is my Department’s main employment programme, the aim of which is to deliver a flexible personalised service, tailored to meet individual need. S2S participants receive an individual, personal service to help them achieve their job goals and progress into sustained employment. This personalised service, which may include a qualification, is underpinned by Service Guarantees to ensure all participants get the support they need. The support offered to a participant is documented in a Progression to Employment Plan which the participant agrees with their Employment Adviser.

If, at the S2S eligibility point JSA claimants are participating on other provision, including European Social Fund (ESF) Programmes, the Employment Service Adviser can consider deferring the S2S referral for up to 90 days. This will allow clients to complete the provision or programme they have started and, where possible, move into employment. This means that participants should not be prevented from completing programmes prior to being referred to S2S. Where participants do not find employment at the end of the deferral period, a referral to S2S will be made.

It is not permissible for an individual to be on S2S and an ESF project at the same time.