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Hanafin defends Fa¤ s scheme changes
31 January 2010 By Niamh Connolly Political Correspondent
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin has insisted that the government’s moves to boost access to the Fás workplace programme are starting to make an impact.
Hanafin said she believed there had been a ‘‘bedding down period’’, after the scheme was changed last month to make it more accessible. The minister was responding to figures showing that just 257 unemployed people had taken up places on the workplace programme.
‘‘There are currently three times more providers and five times more placements available than participants," said Hanafin. ‘‘I’m hoping to see a change now. The criteria only came into effect on December 1, and the rules have been relaxed significantly."
However, Fine Gael TD Leo Varadkar criticised the scheme for failing to offer any additional financial benefit. Hanafin’s department last week widened the terms of another scheme, the Ibec Gradlink programme, to 2009 graduates.
They will be eligible to retain their social welfare while participating in the scheme, and will gain a certificate after the nine-month work experience.
‘‘One of the added benefits of the Ibec Gradlink programme is that there will be a certificate of management - it’s not just a work placement," said Hanafin.
She said the scheme gave graduates the opportunity to get placements in law firms, architectural practices and other professions. Graduates who don’t qualify for full social welfare payments due to their family circumstances can avail of the Ibec Gradlink scheme.
Hanafin also said that the Department of Finance was examining the possibility of offering experience to graduates throughout the public service as part of the scheme in specific locations around the country. It could al so offer opportunities in local government and administration, she said.
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