COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 11, 2015

MOTION NO.9

MOTION: Councillor N. Coules

That this council condemns the use of Gateway, Job Bridge, and other similar government "job activation" schemes as they endanger council jobs. 

REPORT:

The Action Plan for Jobs sets out the Government's enhanced labour market activation strategy to maximise the number of supports and placements for people are currently unemployed, particularly the long term unemployed. The Minister for Social Protection has confirmed that the strategy includes 2,500 JobBridge places, 2,500 places on the Tús scheme, an additional 2,000 community employment scheme places and 3,000 places in the Gateway initiative. These schemes are a valuable route for participants to gain or update experience of the workplace, to learn new skills and to return to the routine of work. The scheme will assist the personal and social development of participants by providing short term work opportunities with the objective of bridging the gap between unemployment and re-entering the workforce.

South Dublin County Council's allocation under the Gateway scheme is 215 places. Participants must have been in receipt of jobseekers allowance for a minimum of 24 months. They will be provided with a Fixed Term Contract (22 Months maximum duration and not renewable) and working hours will be either 19.5 hours per week or 39 hours per fortnight. They will receive a payment equivalent to their rate of Jobseekers Allowance plus €20.00 per week, with a minimum payment of €208.00 per week. The Council aims to match the participant's skill level with available opportunities within the organisation.

Areas of Work for participants include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Environmental services - maintenance and development of industrial estates which will include general cleaning, litter picking, weeding, graffiti removal

· Derelict site clean ups

· Village Enhancement Schemes - remediation and restoration works

· Landscaping

· Estate improvements

There are currently 168 Gateway participants employed by South Dublin (30/4/15), and Acting Assistant Foreman of Works are also employed to supervise every 20 participants. Recruitment will continue on a rolling basis until we reach our allocated number of 215 participants.