1. Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020 Activity Progress Nicola Finnegan ESF Managing Authority Department of Education and Skills 13 th May 2016

2. Priority 1: Promoting the attainment of sustainable and quality employment through relevant upskilling measures and supporting labour mobility. Sub-priority: Access to employment for job-seekers and inactive people, including the long-term unemployed and people far from the labour market, also through local employment initiatives and support for labour mobility  ETB Training for the Unemployed  Springboard  ICT Skills Conversion Course  Momentum  Intra EU Mobility

3. ETB Training for the Unemployed Provides a range of training courses to meet the needs of unemployed persons or other job seekers including Specific Skills Training, Traineeships and Bridging/Foundation courses. In 2014 and 2015 ETBs have provided training to over 32,000 ESF participants nationally. Over 14,000 of these were LTU and 11,000 were under 25. Momentum Provides education and training to assist the long-term unemployed gain the skills needed to access work in sectors of the economy where there are job opportunities Includes on-the job training in the form of work experience modules Since its commencement under PEIL in 2014, there have been 5327 LTU enrolled on Momentum courses.

4. Springboard & ICT Skills Conversion Course Springboard and the ICT Skills Conversion course commenced under PEIL in 2015. They are now incorporated under Springboard+ although they still have separate AIP’s All courses selected for funding under Springboard+ 2015 are in areas of identified enterprise skills needs based on research by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs The number of unemployed people enrolled on Springboard+ courses in 2015 was 6,499. In March 2016, there was a new call for proposals for Springboard+. These proposals have been assessed by an independent panel and the new round of Springboard+ will be launched in June 2016 A trend analysis published in 2015 indicated that 74% of all Springboard participants from 2011-2014 are no longer on the Live Register The ICT Action Plan 2014-2018 forecasts 44,500 ICT job openings for the period 2014-2018

5. Intra EU Mobility Assists Job Seekers and Job Changers, Unemployed, Graduates and Migrants to find employment in the wider European Labour Market and assist Employers to source suitable candidates. Promotes EURES as the recruitment organisation of choice for both jobseekers and employers The Co-Sponsored Placement Programme was launched in 2015 and has had eight participants, three of whom are still in place. Five of the participants were placed with a digital media company called Illuminata in the Netherlands. On completion of the placement all five were employed by Illuminata Ireland. In 2015 one Jobs Fair was held which attracted 3000 people. The DIALOG Project organised 6 events in 2015, which were aimed at supporting the integration of unemployed Migrants into the Irish Labour Market.

6. Priority 2: Promoting Social Inclusion and combating discrimination in the labour market Sub-priority: Active inclusion, including with a view to promoting equal opportunities and active participation, and improving employability  Social Inclusion Community and Activation Programme (SICAP)  Youthreach  Social inclusion of Prisoners/Ex-offenders through employability guidance and placement  Disability Project  Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs)  Young Persons Probation (YPP) projects Sub-priority: Combating all forms of discrimination and promoting equal opportunities  Tus Nua project  Integration and employment of Migrants  Gender Equality  Equality mainstreaming

7. Social Inclusion Community and Activation Programme (SICAP) Commenced under Priority 4 in 2015, due to begin under Priority 2 in 2016 Youthreach Commenced under Priority 4 in 2015, began under Priority 2 in 2016 Social inclusion of Prisoners/Ex-offenders Social Inclusion of Prisoners/Ex-Offenders will not be going ahead under PEIL and it is proposed that funding will be reallocated to the Irish Youth Justice Service for the expansion and provision of services. Disability Project Disability Activation has not yet commenced, proposals are currently being developed and will be brought to the incoming Minister.

8. Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) Commenced in January 2015 under PEIL, there are 110 GYDPs with another 7 progressing in 2016. Provide targeted supports to young people (aged 12-17) who come to the attention of the criminal justice system because of their offending or anti-social behaviour. A new internationally recognised assessment system has been approved to identify and respond to each person’s individual risks/needs. Decrease in the numbers of participants on GYDPs of 11.5%, from 4966 participants in 2014 to 4393 in 2015. Young Persons Probation (YPP) projects 4 YPP projects commenced under PEIL in 2015. Projects provide a range of services to young offenders in local communities, including training and education, and offender management programmes. In 2015 322 participants engaged in the 4 YPP projects, of these participants 311 were under 25.

9. Tus Nua Project Commenced in April 2015, offering a 6 month residential programme to women leaving prison and with a history of offending. It provides safe supported housing and a positive environment to aid with independent living. There were 17 participants in 2015, while 5 still remain on the programme there have been only 3 completers The low completion rate can be attributed to complex issues such as addiction, serious mental difficulties and social disadvantage Integration and Employment of Migrants Not yet commenced, it is intended to publish a call for proposals in the coming weeks. Gender Equality Not yet commenced, DJE are in the process of setting up a centralised departmental unit and calls for proposals will begin shortly. Equality Mainstreaming No activity has taken place under PEIL as yet, nor is any envisaged for 2016.

10. Priority 3: Investing in Education, Training and Life Long Learning with a view to upskilling and re-skilling the labour force Sub-priority: Improving the quality and efficiency of, and access to, tertiary and equivalent education with a view to increasing participation and attainment levels, especially for disadvantaged groups  Third Level Access Sub-priority: Enhancing equal access to lifelong learning for all age groups in formal, non- formal and informal settings, upgrading the knowledge, skills and competences of the workforce, and promoting flexible learning pathways including through career guidance and validation of acquired competences  BTEI  Adult Literacy

11. Third Level Access Consists of the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) and the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD). The SAF provides financial assistance for full-time higher education students who are experiencing financial difficulties whilst attending college. The FSD supports students in overcoming barriers to participation in higher education due to disability. 18,040 students in the SNE region benefited from the assistance which was supported by PEIL in 2014.

12. BTEI Provides part-time courses for over 16s, aimed principally at those who have not attained the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) qualification. Gives individuals the opportunity to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities. In 2014 and 2015 there were 60,662 BTEI participants nationally which were supported by the ESF. Adult Literacy The provision of basic education, including reading, writing and numeracy skills, and ICT for adults who wish to improve their literacy and numeracy competencies to enhance their functional participation in personal, social and economic life. The priority target cohort for adult literacy programmes are those adults with primary education or less and whose literacy and numeracy skills do not match Level 3 on the National Framework of Qualifications. In 2014 and 2015 the Adult Literacy programme has been delivered to 108,617 ESF participants nationally.

13. Priority 4: Youth Employment Initiative Sub-priority: Sustainable integration into the labour market of young people, in particular those not in employment, education or training, including young people at risk of social exclusion and young people from marginalised communities, including through the implementation of the Youth Guarantee  Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) Scheme  JobsPlus Incentive Scheme  Tus  JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme  Youthreach  Momentum  Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP)

14. Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) Scheme Encourages under 25s getting certain social welfare payments to become self employed. Participants can keep a percentage of their social welfare payment for up to 2 years In general the numbers on BTWEA who are under 25 are low compared to those above 25. Commencing in June 2015 there were 107 under 25s eligible for ESF support under BTWEA A review has commenced and will be completed this year to ensure the scheme is fully aligned with national policy and operational developments. JobsPlus Incentive Scheme Commenced in February 2015 and is targeted at employers to take on additional employees from the live register and those transitioning into employment for a period of 2 years. Open to under 25s who have been unemployed for at least 4 months in the previous 6 months. In 2015 JobsPlus placed 474 under 25s in employment.

15. Tus Commenced in May 2015, Tus is a community work placement that provides short term work opportunities for the unemployed. The work opportunities are to benefit the community and are provided by community and voluntary organisations in both urban and rural areas. 998 participants from May to December 2015. JobBridge, the National Internship Scheme JobBridge – First Steps commenced in 2015 and is a work placement scheme aimed at 18-24 year olds, who are signing on the live register and who have limited or no experience of work. Placements are for 3 months with the option to extend to a 6 or 9 month placement. There have been 1898 participants with just above a 50% completion rate. Due to the increased number of jobs available in the market, the number of employers that are offering internships is decreasing.

16. Youthreach Youthreach is a programme of education, training and work experience aimed at unemployed early school leavers aged 15-20. Its aim is to develop the core skills needed for further learning and to prepare young people to progress to further education/training or to employment. 6593 early school leavers participated nationally on the Youthreach programme over 2014 and 2015. Momentum Provides education and training to assist under 25 long-term unemployed gain the skills needed to access work in sectors of the economy where there are job opportunities Targets both YEI and non-YEI participants, the ratio is 31% of the programme participants are U25 which is slightly below the target of 33%. 1792 under 25s registered for Momentum between 2014 and 2015

17. Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) Commenced in April 2015 SICAP is led nationally by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and administered by POBAL Aims to tackle poverty, social exclusion and long term unemployment through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. Its target groups are children and families in disadvantaged areas 3958 under 25s not in employment, education or training have been supported under SICAP in 2015 An end of year review has been conducted and will be published shortly

18. Thank you for your time. Any Questions?